首里城正殿之鐘銘 (Inscription on the bell of Shuri castle)

万国津梁の鐘
　
琉球國者南海勝地而
鍾三韓之秀以大明為輔車以日域為脣歯在　
此ニ中間湧出之蓬莱嶋也以舟楫為万國之　
津梁異産至宝充満十方刹

琉球国は南海の勝地にして三韓の秀を鍾め、
大明を以て輔車となし日域を以て脣歯となす
此の二者の中間に在りて湧出する所の蓬莱島なり
舟楫を以て万国の津梁となし
異産至宝は十方刹に充満せり

Bridge of Nation “Bell”

The Kingdom of Ryūkyū is a splendid place in the South Seas, with close intimate relations with the Three Nations of China, Korea, and Japan, between which it is located, and which express much admiration for these islands. Journeying to various countries by ship, the Kingdom forms a bridge between all the nations, filling its land with the precious goods and products of foreign lands; in addition, the hearts of its people emulate the virtuous civilization of Japan and China.