A Historical Geographical Study on the Establishment of Okinawan Immigrants from the Perspective of Family and Kinship Relationships

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K13581
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Human geography
• Research Institution: Kwansei Gakuin University (2022); University of the Ryukyus (2017-2021)
• Principal Investigator: HANAKI Hironao 関西学院大学, 文学部, 准教授 (80712041)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 移民 / 沖縄 / 寄留商人 / 斡旋 / 土地整理事業 / 門中 / 越境的拡大

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study examines the historical circumstances that led to emigration from the main island of Okinawa in the modern era, the relationship between the place of emigration and the place of origin through emigration, and the transformation of the place of origin as a result of emigration. The results revealed that immigration was mediated by brokers from outside Okinawa Prefecture and that the reorganization of social relations following the land reform was a factor in the outward migration of immigrants. In addition, it became clear that family and kinship relationships that united the place of emigration with the place of origin were maintained, including inheritance of family property and ancestral rituals.

Free Research Field

人文地理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の意義は、まず、近代の沖縄県出身移民を対象として、移住に至った要因から移住先での居住地や職業の変化、出身地との関わりまで、彼らの動向の全体像を把握したことにある。次に、移住に至った要因について、既存研究で注目されてきた沖縄県出身者にとどまらず、寄留商人をはじめ沖縄県外出身者の役割に注目したことにある。続いて、移住先と出身地との関わりについて、移住後も出身地との関係を維持し、越境的な社会関係が構築されていた様子をみいだしたことにある。本研究を通じて、移民を出身地の社会関係の越境的拡大の中に捉え直すという、新たな知見を提供した。