Making a Good Impression: Cultural Drama in the Ryukyu-China Relationship

Abstract

The Ryukyu-China (Ming and Qing) relationship included essential performative components, with the burden on Ryukyuans to make a good impression on Chinese officials. The best and most important example was the process of royal investiture by the Chinese court. Indeed, insofar as the Ryukyuan court strove with considerable success to convey a good impression, the investiture process possessed a parade-like quality. Moreover, the Ryukyuan court skillfully nurtured a positive image in Chinese eyes, in what we might call an early form of public relations management.