1609: The Satsuma Invasion of Ryūkyū and the Opening of the Dutch Trading Post
Shimazu Iehisa of Satsuma invaded the Ryūkyū Kingdom with 3,000 troops, capturing Shuri Castle within roughly ten days and bringing Ryūkyū effectively under Satsuma's control. In the same year, the Dutch East India Company established a trading post at Hirado, making this a year of major developments on the diplomatic and commercial front alike.
Events this year
Month unknown
Dutch Trading Post Is Established at Hirado
The Dutch East India Company established a trading post at Hirado with shogunate permission, creating a base for Dutch-Japanese trade.