The Repulic of Ryukyu

[skyliner22 16]

The HISTORY:

Back in 1200 BC Chinese Explorers landed across a new island, they found the tropical climate much nicer than the steamy summers in China. More settlers flocked to the newly founded Xian state, as the provinces fought against one another.

 

            As time passed; the small Xian state created its own writing system and language and grew further and further distant to its Chinese beginnings. In 1286 King Ryukyu united the state and became the first king and leader of the Kingdom, RyukyuKingdom. As this new nation rose; so did conflicts. Avoiding the Mongol Era; Ryukyu had to deal with invaders from Siam, China, and Japan. Because the kingdom didn’t have a long history and didn’t develop well tactics and weaponry, the king often had to pay tribute in order to spare the nation.

            As time rolls by, the nation encounters many difficulties from neighboring nations. In 1887 when Commodore Perry visited Japan to open up trade routes, the King also opened up Shuri to international merchants. As merchants from all over the world came across the great spices grown on the island, they nation began to prosper. Shuri castle became home of one of the most powerful Kings in the nation and used the prosperity to give his people a better lifestyle and to fortify the capital city.

 

American Painter, Richard Flemmings painted Shuri Castle from atop a nearby hill; circa 1885

            Until in 1902 after Japan defeated China in the Sino-Japanese war, Japan began conquering nations within its reach. In 1905; the RyukyuKingdom was destroyed and the new settlement under the Japanese was called Okinawa. As Japan advanced militaristicly, the Ryukyuans had to adjust to the Japanese way of life.

 

    In World War II many of the Ryukyuans had to enlist for the Japanese army and many went overseas to fight. In 1944; the United StatesOkinawa as they inched towards Japan. Naha was flattened as B52s crippled the island to take over it. Once the war was over, Japan kept Okinawa and the US used it for a major naval base launched a heavy bombing campaign on Okinawa as they inched towards Japan. Naha was flattened as B52s crippled the island to take over it. Once the war was over, Japan kept Okinawa and the US used it for a major naval base.

Naha leveled, 1944 WWII photo by George Timmins US B52 bomber pilot

            Following the war, many Ryukyuans got fed up with the US and Japanese presence. Large riots broke out in Naha as the Ryukyuans demanded independence. In 1948; Rutaro Yakizama led a 20,000 man riot to the Prefectural government office in Downtown Naha and demanded its sovereignty or else they will use violence. The government denied such threats and the Ryukyuans took to Naha and burned anything that reminded them of the Tokyo government. Tokyo immediately got news and due to its state of destruction, denounced Okinawa from its possessions.

            On December 22, 1956, the Republic of Ryukyu was formed and Naha its capital. Although the Japanese government took over nation, the Ryukuans were delighted when they got their own nation that they have decided to ally with Japan and continue to be influenced by Japan. China also became an ally due to it being the root of the nation.

 

            In 1982 Taka*****a Yumeto; a multi-billionaire from the new technological era jump started Ryukyu’s economy with electronics such as the Yumeto Television. As Ryukyu’s economy rose; Naha rose from a small town to a bustling capital with many company headquarters relocating. The city exploded within the last 20 years and is only getting bigger. One can compare it to the massive construction boom in Shenzen, China. Today Naha continues to rise on the world economic stage and lets its name be heard!

Naha today, shot taken by Fujitomi Hasegawa from helicopter

[sEAhAwk fAn121 0]

wow! very very cool! love the downtown and the history is cool cant wait to see update #2

[topcliff 1]

Interesting. I look forward to more. But (big, big but), try to clean up downtown a bit. Leonardo

[Zelgadis 638]

I love the history. You have taken great care to mix real and fictional history and I like it.

City pics are good too.

ISF

[prkrsmth 0]

very pretty night shot...very modern looking...i like alot, good work

[Abc987 3]

I'll be keeping an eye on this!!

[Schulmanator 5,812]

Awesome! My pal just moved to Okinawa, so the name caught my eye. Good start.

[Simfan34 11]

Interesting history and nice downtown, but the flag looks too clustered.

[2nerdy4u 1]

nice history. good looking city.

[dralin321 0]

pretty nice stuff, please continue!!!

[homeandaway 1]

nice! - i love that photoshopped temple pic! and that downtown view pic is more than stunning! - im coming back again!

[Sim_Air 2]

Veeeeeeeeeery nice city!

[skyliner22 16]

REPLIES

Seahawkfan: Thanks my friend, update #2; coming up! I hope to see some beautiful progression on your new CJ as well!

Topcliff: You sure do have a good eye for the small things! Yea indeed i do need to fix downtown!

Zelgadis: Thank you very much! You have only seen one picture though; there are many to come!

Prkrsmth: Thanks thats the approach i went for!

Jrhnemo:I hope you do!

Schulmanator: Thats good, im glad you are taking a look at my CJ!

Simsfan: Hmm i guess the flag is a little cluttered.

2nerdy4u: Thanks more to come

dralin321: I sure will!

Homeandaway: Hey welcome back to my CJs! Hope u enjoy this one too!

Sim_Air: YUp! more to come!

[penguin007 27]

This cj looks great nice storyline and the ww2 pic looks great. Nice skyline at night also

looking forward to more

Will

[skyliner22 16]

A little mosaic that i whipped up, i will be using these a lot in future updates! Heres a more closer look at downtown.

Next update we leave downtown and head for Shuri, the imperial state!

[waldner 0]

Nice history and a very beautiful teaser!

[Voulpiotis 4]

Very interesting! I love your city-building too!

[gabry85 2]

Wonderful! I like your skyline and the colors of the buildings!

[jacqulina 162]

great start and intro,great history,very nice work and pics,excellent night time mosaic my friend

[Almighty Nienaber 3]

WHOOT, i love it. i hope to see more. dont be one of thos people that starts a good CJ and killes it after 3 updates, PLEASE.

[Johan_91 179]

Woooooooow!! awsome awsome awsome

I just love japanese cities

This is so great ;-) I love the history and stuff too

[sEAhAwk fAn121 0]

ooo i like it alot! the oly thing is that the Liberty Place really doesnt fit otherwise its great

[mayormommy 8]

Nice work, looks a little slicker than the real Okinawa (I was there in 2004). Are you going to add the monorail?

[skyliner22 16]

REPLIES

Waldner: Thank you for your comment

Voulpiotis: Thanks, you should look out for more!

Garby: Thanks, thats what i intended

Jacky: Look out for more mosaics!

Almighty Nienber: I never do that hehe the shortest they last is a month!

Johan: But this isnt a Japanese city

Seahawk: Hehe i figured that but i needed some kind of American building

Mayormommy: Thanks yea, the real Okinawa is not as built up. Hmm well i have an HSR system throught the nation so that should take place of the monorail!

[skyliner22 16]

Ive been developing a new region outside of Naha, ill show that in a couple of updates!

WELCOME TO SHURI PALACE

Shuri Palace is home to the nation's imperials. This expansive palace on Shuri island in Naha Bay has been the capital for centuries and is the most sacred area in all of the nation.

Shuri, used to be an expansive city with the castle serving as protecting the city from near by intruders. As the 20th century came about, the city became a national historic site; preserving its historical past. But after WWII, most of the city was destroyed. The palace and castle were spared but only a small sector of the city remained. That section now known as Old Shuri has become a historical park and many tourists visit every year.

Within old Shuri is rows of small 18th century homes; many of the shops are open to offer merchandise that relates to Shuri's past.

Continuing down the Expressway from the site of Old Shuri is the Imperial Palace. Ryukyu, although has a prime minister, keeps to its roots with the royal family.

Here in the Imperial Palace, lives King Akemoto who has been head of the royal family since Ryukyu's independence.

You can tell that the palace has been the same since the 1930's when the top photo was taken. At the top of the old photo is the Great Hall, where the government of Naha conducts business.

Across Naha Bay from Shuri is the Prime Minister's house. Prime Minister Matsafuma Ragota controls the nation and has helped it spring from a third world country to a developing nation with one of the largest economies! Ragota is deemed a national hero and the large tower in Naha is named for his greatness for the nation!

A shot of the Prime Minister's house and a statue in his honor

Next Update, a closer look at downtown!

[Sim_Air 2]

nice update, waiting for more!

[griffen_star 0]

Wow, amazing city.

Though if I could offer some advice, I lived in Tokyo for 5 years and I noticed the usage of trees (I do believe that hideki.net has some cherry blossom tree sets) and also the usage of sea walls would be nice.

Can't wait to see how the japanese residential areas are layed out!

[Cleaner475 150]

wow, thats some nice pics - they look brilliant

keep it up, can't wait to see how you do the rest of it

Richard

[sEAhAwk fAn121 0]

ooo i like the old town and the palace! living in luxury lol! great update cant wait to see more

[Johan_91 179]

Ah it reminds me of japanese cities x) mixture of low and high buildings.

Still awsome work! You really got this tropical asian style on the Old town there.