{{Short description|Okinawan noble title}} {{for|people named Ueekata|Ueekata (surname)}} {{for|the sumo term with the same kanji|oyakata}} '''{{nihongo|Ueekata|親方|}}''',<ref>The same kanji (親方) are pronounced ''oyakata'' in Japanese, in which the term is used in a variety of contexts with meanings roughly corresponding to "master." For example, in sumo, the term is used to refer to coaches.</ref> in the Okinawan language, was the highest rank in the yukatchu aristocracy of the former Ryukyu Kingdom (modern-day Okinawa, Japan), though it was still below the ''aji'' nobility. Members of the {{nihongo|Council of Three|三司官|Sanshikan}}, a very high-ranking governmental body, were chosen from among the ''ueekata''.
''Ueekata'' rank was generally obtained as the last step in a progression from ''shii'' (子) rank to ''satonushi'' (里之子), then to ''peekumi'' (親雲上), and finally to ''ueekata''. As with other Ryukyuan aristocratic titles, a member would often be referred to by their title, along with an associated placename. For example, royal government official Tei Dō (1549-1611) is equally well known by the title Jana Ueekata, or "ueekata of Jana," Jana (謝名) being an area (specifically, an ''azana'') within what is today the city of Ginowan, Okinawa.
Holders of ''ueekata'' rank wore purple ''hachimachi'' headbands, the color being a symbol of rank.
==Notes== {{reflist}}
==References== *"Ueekata." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). [http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-40355-storytopic-121.html Ryukyu Shimpo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717091247/http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-40355-storytopic-121.html |date=2011-07-17 }} (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 5 January 2009.
{{Government of the Ryukyu Kingdom|state=expanded}}
Category:Ueekata Category:Noble titles Category:Ryukyu Kingdom Category:Nobility in Asia