His birth year is unknown. Han'anchi was the last king of the Northern Kingdom (Hokuzan), which ruled the northern part of Okinawa Island, and ruled from Nakijin Castle. Hokuzan had passed through three generations of kings -- Haniji, Min, and Han'anchi -- and Han'anchi still maintained considerable power, conducting independent trade with China. However, in 1416 (some sources say 1422), Nakijin was invaded by a punitive force led by Sho Hashi, king of Chuzan. Betrayed by his retainer, the lord of Motobu, who cut off the castle's water source, Han'anchi found himself in a hopeless position and Nakijin Castle fell. He is said to have thrown his prized sword Chiyoganemaru into a ravine before taking his own life, ending the Hokuzan kingdom.

A ruler who maintained real independent strength -- including his own trade with China -- even in the kingdom's final years. His last act, throwing his prized sword into a ravine rather than let it fall into enemy hands despite his retainer's betrayal, reveals a king's pride to the end.

Han'anchi's defeat and death extinguished the Hokuzan kingdom and marked a major step toward Sho Hashi's unification of the three kingdoms. His seat, Nakijin Castle, survives today as a component of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu,' its vast stone walls still standing.