kingdom · Korea and Japan

Nanzan

1314 CE – 1429 CE (approx.) · capital Shimajiri-Ozato

The southernmost of the three rival kingdoms of 14th-century Okinawa, absorbed into the unified Ryukyu Kingdom in 1429.

Origins

Okinawa split in the early 14th century into three rival polities, Hokuzan, Chuzan and Nanzan, as local lords called aji built stone castles (gusuku). Nanzan covered the southern part of the island, with its seat at Shimajiri-Ozato castle; the date of 1314 is traditional.

Rule and society

Nanzan's kings were overlords of local aji rather than rulers of a centralised state. From 1380 they sent tribute missions to Ming China, gaining trade privileges and recognition as kings of Shannan, though succession disputes were frequent.

Decline and legacy

Sho Hashi, who had taken control of Chuzan, conquered Nanzan in 1429, defeating its last king Taromai and uniting Okinawa as the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Connections (2)

  • Nanzan paid tribute to Ming Empire1380 CE – 1429 CE
  • Nanzan was conquered by Chuzan1429 CE

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Nanzan. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/nanzan
MLA
“Nanzan.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/nanzan. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Nanzan.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/nanzan.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Nanzan’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/nanzan (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻