Table of contents : Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1. The Status of Ryukyu and Its Relations with Japan and China Chapter 2. Looking North and Looking West: Shō Shōken and Tei Junsoku Chapter 3. Empowering Ryukyuans: The Theoretical Foundations of Sai On’s Ryuku Chapter 4. Re-Creating Ryukyu: Sai On and His Critics Chapter 5. Contested Visions of Sai On’s Ryukyu Epilogue and Conclusions Appendix 1: Ryukyuan Kings Appendix 2: Glossary of Selected Ryukyuan Terms List of Abbreviations Notes Works Cited Index