Ryukyu belonged to Kagoshima prefecture according to Haihan-chiken (new administration system to abolish feudal domains and establish prefectures) in July 1871, while the Ryukyu Domain was established and granted Sakuho Shosho (imperial edict, decree) recognizing peerage with the king of Ryukyu as the king of the domain in September 1872.
1871年7月の廃藩置県により琉球は鹿児島県に一応編入され、翌1872年9月琉球藩を設置し国王を藩王として華族に列する冊封詔書が授けられた。