Ryukyu Kingdom Family History 1545

Kanren Izumigawa

My grandparents were from the Ryukyu Kingdom or what is known today as Okinawa Prefecture.

My line descends from Tamanaha’s first son who took the name Izumigawa Kanhan. Kanhan was a District Governor of the Ryukyu Kingdom and a high level Peichin samurai. He is also listed in the Ryukyu history. I estimate that he was born in 1542. He lived to 1618.

Kanhan’s brother (second son of Tamanaha) took the name Izumigawa, Kanren and started another branch. According to family records, Kanren passed away in about 1583. Historical documents do not state Kanren’s rank. I would estimate that he was born in 1545. Five generations of his family are noted in recreated charts.

Kanren’s heir was a third son who lived for 76 years, his grandson 29 years, great grandson 40 years and great great grandson 75 years. However, historical records seem to indicate that Kanren’s father’s name was Amekushi and not Tamanaha so I may have gotten that information wrong. The fifth generation notes two sons who reached 75 and 52 years of age. The fifth generation seems to be in the 1700s.

According to the family, King Sho Shin asked that two of Tamanaha’s sons take the name Izumigawa, Kanhan and Kanren. Tamanaha also had a daughter but her name is not listed.