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As ''sessei'', Shô Shôken took a very proactive role in creating and implementing policy in the kingdom, unlike all others who bore the title before and after him, who served a somewhat more passive advisory role. His brief period of service in this role saw a wide range of reforms, including the implementation of sumptuary laws and morality edicts, the streamlining of the government's administration, and various agricultural reforms. He also worked to circumscribe the political power of the noble ladies at court, and reorganized the kingdom's network of priestesses, as well as supporting the expansion and development of Japanese traditional arts in the kingdom<ref>"Haneji shioki." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). [http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-42657-storytopic-121.html Ryukyu Shimpo] (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 11 October 2009.</ref>. A number of documents relating to the implementation of his reforms and policies have been collected into a volume known as ''Haneji shioki''.

As ''sessei'', Shô Shôken took a very proactive role in creating and implementing policy in the kingdom, unlike all others who bore the title before and after him, who served a somewhat more passive advisory role. His brief period of service in this role saw a wide range of reforms, including the implementation of sumptuary laws and morality edicts, the streamlining of the government's administration, and various agricultural reforms. He also worked to circumscribe the political power of the noble ladies at court, and reorganized the kingdom's network of priestesses, as well as supporting the expansion and development of Japanese traditional arts in the kingdom<ref>"Haneji shioki." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). [http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-42657-storytopic-121.html Ryukyu Shimpo] (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 11 October 2009.</ref>. A number of documents relating to the implementation of his reforms and policies have been collected into a volume known as ''Haneji shioki''.

He served as ''sessei'' for seven years, before resigning in [[1673]]. He died in [[1675]], and was buried in the Taira area of Shuri. A tombstone was erected in 1922, and is still extant.

He served as ''sessei'' for seven years, before resigning in [[1673]]. He died in [[1675]], and was buried in the Taira area of Shuri. A tombstone was erected in 1922, and is still extant today, just outside Sueyoshi Park.

==References==

==References==