Haniji

Haniji (Japanese怕 尼 芝, † probably 1395 ), sometimes Haneji, was the founder and first king of the Kingdom of Hokuzan on Okinawa. Historical sources give his reign of 1322-1395, but this seems unlikely because of the length.

Beginning of the 14th century there were on Okinawa no central political authority, but only a number of local chieftains, loosely subordinate to a supreme prince. One of these chiefs was Haniji who as supreme prince renounced after taking office Tamagusukus with some followers from this. He called in 1322 from his castle Nakijin from the Kingdom Hokuzan and declared himself the first king. About the further reign Hanijis little is known except that it was possible Hokuzan to be included in the tribute system of the Ming Dynasty. It is unclear whether he is the founder of Haneji lineage (羽 地), whose most famous representative of the scribes shō shoken in the 17th century was.