(掟十五ヶ条- Okite jūgo-ka-jō)

 

The fifteen Injunctions (掟十五ヶ条- Okite jūgo-ka-jō), which accompanied the surrender oaths signed in Kagoshima in 1611 is on display at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum, Omoromachi, Naha.

 

 It should be noted that a weapons ban is one of the articles. But it was not a complete ban. See details;

 

* Fire-arms are banned.

* Members of the Royal family and Shizoku (nobility and warrior caste) may carry personal weapons (These include swords, spears and bows).

* Commoners may not own any weapons (giving rise to wider spread of Tee / Tode and development of ‘weapons’ of civil defense).

* The magistrate’s office representing the Satsuma overlords must be informed of any repairs made on existing weapons.

* Those seeking to own new weapons or those seeking to own weapons for the first time should seek permission from magistrate’s office representing the Satsuma overlords.