View source for Sho Ken

*''Born: [[1625]]''
*''Died: [[1647]]''
*''Japanese/Chinese'': [[尚]] 賢 ''(Shô Ken / Shàng Xián)''

Shô Ken was the ninth king of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]], reigning from [[1641]] to [[1647]].

The third son of King [[Sho Ho|Shô Hô]], he came to the throne just a few years before the fall of the [[Ming dynasty]], and by the time a formal embassy was sent in [[1644]] to officially inform the Ming court of the death of the previous king, and to request [[investiture]] for Shô Ken, [[Beijing]] had already fallen. [[Kin Ogen|Kin Ôgen]] led this mission, meeting with the [[Prince of Fu|Hongguang Emperor]] of the [[Ming loyalists|Southern Ming]] in [[Nanjing]]. As [[Manchu]] forces made their way south and various Southern Ming leaders fell one after another, Shô Ken dispatched multiple missions, offering congratulations, inquiring as to conditions, and/or requesting investiture.<ref>Schottenhammer, Angela. “Empire and Periphery? The Qing Empire’s Relations with Japan and the Ryūkyūs (1644–c. 1800), a Comparison.” ''The Medieval History Journal'' 16, no. 1 (April 1, 2013): 176-177.</ref>

Shô Ken worked to maintain relations with, and loyalty to, the Ming dynasty during this period for several reasons. Firstly, there were practical economic concerns including the desire to maintain or regain access to the trade in raw [[silk]]. Secondly, the Ming Empire had stood for more than two and a half centuries, longer than a united Ryûkyû Kingdom had yet existed. It was not yet clear during Shô Ken's reign that the Qing would ultimately win and the Ming would be eliminated; remaining loyal to the Ming, or at least attempting to play both sides, was the safest move for Ryûkyû amidst circumstances in which there were not yet any guarantees whether the Ming would ultimately repulse the Manchu invasion and regain its strength (and territory) or not, and under which of the Southern Ming leaders.

In 1644, Shô Ken began a tradition of formal royal visits to [[Shikina Shrine]] in the first, fifth, and ninth months of the year.<ref>Plaques on-site at Shikina Shrine.</ref>

Shô Ken died in [[1647]] after a short reign, and was succeeded by his younger brother, who took the throne as King [[Sho Shitsu|Shô Shitsu]]. Shô Ken was entombed at the royal mausoleum at [[Tamaudun]], where he was later joined by his queen, [[Kaho]] (d. [[1666]]).<ref>Nakamura Toru. "[http://gusuku.que.jp/isan/7_tamaudun/ichiran.html 被葬者一覧]." ''Okinawa no sekai isan'' 沖縄の世界遺産. 2005.</ref>

<center>
{| border="3" align="center"
|- align="center"
|width="32%"|Preceded by:<br>'''[[Sho Ho|Shô Hô]]'''
|width="35%"|'''[[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Reign as King of Ryûkyû]]'''<br> 1641-1647
|width="32%"|Succeeded by:<br>'''[[Sho Shitsu|Shô Shitsu]]'''
|}
</center>

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==References==
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[[Category:Ryukyu]]
[[Category:Royalty]]
[[Category:Edo Period]]