Shunten Dynasty

King of Ryukyu
Crown of the King of Ryukyu
Details
Style	Your Majesty (首里天加那志)
First monarch	Shunten
Last monarch	Shō Tai
Formation	1429
Abolition	March 17, 1879
Residence	Shuri Castle
Pretender(s)	Mamoru Shō

The list of monarchs of the Ryukyu Islands extends from chiefShunten in the 12th century through the last king in the 19th century.

According to the "Mirror of Chūzan" (中山世鑑, Chūzan Seikan), the founder of the Tenson Dynasty (天孫王朝, Tenson Ōchō) was a descendant of Amamikyu (阿摩美久, the goddess of creation in the Ryukyuan religion). Though the "Mirror of Chūzan" said that the Tenson Dynasty had 25 early rulers, their names are still unknown.

In 1186, the 25th ruler's throne was usurped by Riyū (利勇). Shunten overthrew Riyū the next year, becoming chief of the Ryukyu Islands. He established the Shunten Dynasty.

In 1259, Gihon, who was the last chief of Shunten Dynasty, abdicated his throne. His Sessei Eiso succeeded him.

The Sanzan period is a period of history of the Okinawa Islands that lasted from 1314 until 1429. During these years, the island of Okinawa was politically divided into three principalities or polities:

(Chūzan, 1355–1406)

Chūzan had paid tribute to Ming court in 1372 and 1404.

(Nanzan, 1337–1429)

Nanzan had paid tribute to Ming court in 1383 and 1388.