Edo-no-bori

A common name for the envoys sent from the early modern Ryukyu Kingdom to the Tokugawa Shogunate. A congratulatory envoy was sent when a Shogun took over the title, and a thank-you envoy was sent when a Ryukyu King ascended to the throne, but Edo-agari is also used as a general term for both envoys. The first was in 1634 (Kan'ei 11), and there were a total of 18 envoys sent throughout the early modern period. The maximum size of the envoys was 170 people, but the usual number was about 80 people. The main personnel, including the principal and vice envoys, were dressed in Chinese-style costumes, while the attendants wore Ryukyu costumes. On the way to Edo, Chinese-style road music was performed along the way, and the envoys were surrounded by warriors from the Satsuma domain for guarding. When the Shogun met with the envoy, various feudal lords were present, and a letter and gifts from the King were presented. It was customary for the Shogun to respond by entertaining the envoys and bestowing gifts. The Edo Nobori ceremony was a display of the Shogun's authority and the dignity of the Satsuma Domain, which had been recognized as being in charge of administering the Ryukyu Islands. For the Ryukyu Islands, it was a golden opportunity to impress upon both domestic and international audiences that, although they were positioned as part of the Shogunate-han system, they still existed as an independent kingdom.

[Takara Kurayoshi]

"Ryukyu Envoys' Journey to Edo" by Miyagi Eisho (1982, Daiichi Shobo)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

近世琉球(りゅうきゅう)王国から徳川幕府への使節派遣の通称。将軍の襲封時には慶賀使が、琉球国王の即位時には恩謝使がそれぞれ派遣されたが、江戸上りは両使の総称としても用いられている。1634年（寛永11）の派遣を最初に、近世を通じて都合18回の遣使があった。使節団の規模は170人を最大に、通常は約80人で編成された。正副使をはじめおもだった人員は中国風の装束に身を包み、随員は琉球の衣裳を身にまとった。江戸への道中、道々中国式の路次楽(ろじがく)を奏したが、前後は警護のため薩摩(さつま)藩の武士によって固められた。将軍への謁見の際には諸大名が陪席し、国王からの表文と献上品が上呈された。これに対し将軍は使節を饗応(きょうおう)し賜品を与えるのが習わしであった。江戸上りは、将軍権力の威光と琉球の管理の任を認められた薩摩藩の体面を誇示する儀式であり、琉球側にとっては、幕藩体制の一環に位置づけられながらも、なお王国として独自に存立していることを内外に印象づける絶好の機会でもあった。

［高良倉吉］

『宮城栄昌著『琉球使者の江戸上り』（1982・第一書房）』

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