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Shô Ten was born in [[Shuri]] and was from birth crown prince to the Kingdom of Ryûkyû. He underwent his [[gempuku|coming of age]] ceremony in [[1878]] and was married the same year.  

Shô Ten was born in [[Shuri]] and was from birth crown prince to the Kingdom of Ryûkyû. He underwent his [[gempuku|coming of age]] ceremony in [[1878]] and was married the same year.  

In March 1879, his father Shô Tai formally abdicated upon the orders of the [[Meiji government]], which abolished the kingdom, transforming ''[[Ryûkyû han]]'' into [[Okinawa Prefecture]], with officials appointed from [[Tokyo]] to administer the islands<ref name=Kerr381>Kerr. p381.</ref> The former king was ordered to report to Tokyo, but feigning illness, he temporarily found shelter at Shô Ten’s palace. Shô Ten was sent to Tokyo as a hostage and partial appeasement as Ryukyuan officials searched for ways to delay the former king’s departure. <ref>*{{cite book| last = Keane | first = Donald | year = 2005 | title = Emperor Of Japan: Meiji And His World, 1852-1912 | publisher = Columbia University Press |location=Pages 305-307 | id = ISBN 0-231-12341-8 }}</ref>

In March 1879, his father Shô Tai formally abdicated upon the orders of the [[Meiji government]], which abolished the kingdom, transforming ''[[Ryûkyû han]]'' into [[Okinawa Prefecture]], with officials appointed from [[Tokyo]] to administer the islands<ref>Kerr, George H. ''Okinawa: The History of an Island People''. (revised ed.) Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing, 2003. p428.</ref> The former king was ordered to report to Tokyo, but feigning illness, he temporarily found shelter at Shô Ten’s palace. Shô Ten was sent to Tokyo as a hostage and partial appeasement as Ryukyuan officials searched for ways to delay the former king’s departure.<ref>Keane, Donald. ''Emperor Of Japan: Meiji And His World, 1852-1912'' New York: Columbia University Press, 2005. pp. 305-307.</ref>

 

Following his father's death and his succession as Marquis and head of the Shô family in 1901, Shô Ten and his family gave up the trappings of traditional Ryukyuan royal court life, costume, court language, and ritual, and adopted those of the Japanese peerage.

Following his father's death and his succession as Marquis and head of the Shô family in 1901, Shô Ten and his family gave up the trappings of traditional Ryukyuan royal court life, costume, court language, and ritual, and adopted those of the Japanese peerage.

As Marquis, Shô Ten held a hereditary seat in the [[House of Peers]] in the [[Diet of Japan|National Diet]]. He was joined in representing Okinawa by a Japanese resident appointed to represent the prefecture's wealthiest taxpayers for the first time in 1918<ref>Kerr, George H. ''Okinawa: The History of an Island People''. (revised ed.) Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing, 2003. p428.</ref>.

As Marquis, Shô Ten held a hereditary seat in the [[House of Peers]] in the [[Diet of Japan|National Diet]]. He was joined in representing Okinawa by a Japanese resident appointed to represent the prefecture's wealthiest taxpayers for the first time in 1918<ref name=Kerr381>Kerr. p381.</ref>.

The Marquis died on September 20, 1920 in his mansion in Shuri and was entombed six days later in [[Tamaudun]], the royal mausoleum near [[Shuri Castle]], in accordance with traditional Ryukyuan royal funerary rites. He would be the last member of the Shô family to be honored in such a manner<ref>Kerr. p453.</ref>.

The Marquis died on September 20, 1920 in his mansion in Shuri and was entombed six days later in [[Tamaudun]], the royal mausoleum near [[Shuri Castle]], in accordance with traditional Ryukyuan royal funerary rites. He would be the last member of the Shô family to be honored in such a manner<ref>Kerr. p453.</ref>.