Changes

For a brief time, it seemed that Ryûkyû was to enjoy a newfound degree of self-rule, with Shô Tai serving as governor of the domain<ref>Though the system of ''[[han]]'', or feudal domains, had been [[Abolition of the han system|abolished]] even before Ryûkyû han was established, the system of [[prefectures of Japan|prefectures]] had yet to be put into place, at least in Okinawa. Thus, for this brief time, Shô Tai was Governor of Ryûkyû, and not Lord or [[daimyo]] as the rulers of the ''han'' were up until then.</ref>.

For a brief time, it seemed that Ryûkyû was to enjoy a newfound degree of self-rule, with Shô Tai serving as governor of the domain<ref>Though the system of ''[[han]]'', or feudal domains, had been [[Abolition of the han system|abolished]] even before Ryûkyû han was established, the system of [[prefectures of Japan|prefectures]] had yet to be put into place, at least in Okinawa. Thus, for this brief time, Shô Tai was Governor of Ryûkyû, and not Lord or [[daimyo]] as the rulers of the ''han'' were up until then.</ref>.

However, several years later, in 1875, Giwan, along with a number of other government ministers and royals, received a mission led by [[Matsuda Michiyuki]], Chief Secretary of the [[Naimusho|Home Ministry]]. Matsuda oversaw the implementation of a number of wide-ranging political changes and other systematic changes concordant with the incorporation of Ryûkyû into Japan, including the establishment of a permanent military garrison in the Ryukyus. Giwan came under attack, as did all officials who had negotiated with the Japanese or accepted their terms, and was forced to resign from public office<ref>Kerr. pp371-373.</ref>.

However, several years later, in 1875, Giwan, along with a number of other government ministers and royals, received a mission led by [[Matsuda Michiyuki]], Chief Secretary of the [[Naimusho|Home Ministry]]. Matsuda oversaw the implementation of a number of wide-ranging political changes and other systematic changes concordant with the incorporation of Ryûkyû into Japan, including the establishment of a permanent military garrison in the Ryukyus. Giwan was severely criticized by [[Kamekawa Seibu]] and other members of the anti-Japan [[Ganko-to|Ganko-tô]] ("Stubborn Faction"), as were a number of officials who had negotiated with the Japanese or accepted their terms, and he was ultimately forced to resign from public office.<ref>Kerr. pp371-373.; "Shurijo Castle and Performing Arts," exhibition pamphlet, National Theater Okinawa, October-December 2020.</ref>

He retired to the countryside, and died the following year<ref name=jinmei/>.

He retired to the countryside, and died the following year<ref name=jinmei/>.