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Giwan was the representative of the kingdom tasked, in 1872, with conveying to the king & his fellow ministers the [[Tokugawa shogunate]]'s orders that the kingdom be abolished, and its territory annexed by Japan.

Giwan was the representative of the kingdom tasked, in 1872, with conveying to the king & his fellow ministers the [[Tokugawa shogunate]]'s orders that the kingdom be abolished, and its territory annexed by Japan.

He is also known for his ''[[waka]]'' poetry<ref name=jinmei>"Giwan Chōho." ''Okinawa rekishi jinmei jiten'' (沖縄歴史人名事典, "Encyclopedia of People in Okinawan History"). Naha: Okinawa Bunka-sha, 2002. p27.</ref>.

He is also known as one of the most prominent or celebrated Ryukyuan ''[[waka]]'' poets of his time<ref name=jinmei>"Giwan Chōho." ''Okinawa rekishi jinmei jiten'' (沖縄歴史人名事典, "Encyclopedia of People in Okinawan History"). Naha: Okinawa Bunka-sha, 2002. p27.</ref><ref name=plaque>Plaque on-site at birthplace of Giwan Chôho.</ref>.

==Life and career==

==Life and career==

Giwan was born in [[Shuri]]<ref name=jinmei/> to an aristocratic family, and inherited from his father Ginowan ''[[magiri]]'' as his domain, along with the title of Ginowan ''ueekata'' ("Lord of Ginowan") in 1835. He would have his title changed to "Giwan ''ueekata''" in 1875 when the king's second son [[Sho In|Shô In]] was named "Prince of Ginowan" (宜野湾王子, Ginowan Ôji)<ref name=shimpo>"Giwan Chōho." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). [http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41120-storytopic-121.html Ryukyu Shimpo] (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 12 September 2009.</ref>.

Giwan was born in [[Shuri]]<ref name=jinmei/> to a branch family of Shô Oroku-udun<!--向氏小禄御殿--><ref name=plaque/>, and inherited from his father Ginowan ''[[magiri]]'' as his domain, along with the title of Ginowan ''ueekata'' ("Lord of Ginowan") in 1835. His title was changed further to "Giwan ''ueekata''" in 1875 when the king's second son [[Sho In|Shô In]] was named "Prince of Ginowan" (宜野湾王子, Ginowan Ôji)<ref name=shimpo>"Giwan Chōho." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). [http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41120-storytopic-121.html Ryukyu Shimpo] (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 12 September 2009.</ref>.

He served many years in the bureaucracy, and was dispatched on missions to [[Qing Dynasty|China]] and [[Edo period|Japan]] on a number of occasions. He became a member of the ''Sanshikan'' in 1862<ref name=jinmei/>, and on account of his experience, continued to lead missions overseas.

Chôho served many years in the bureaucracy, and was dispatched on missions to [[Qing Dynasty|China]] and [[Edo period|Japan]] on a number of occasions. He served as a member of the [[Council of Fifteen]],<ref name=plaque/> was named to the ''Sanshikan'' in 1862<ref name=jinmei/>, and on account of his experience, continued to lead missions overseas.

The Tokugawa shogunate fell in Japan in 1868, to be replaced by a new [[Government of Meiji Japan|Imperial government]]. Three years later, an incident in which a number of Okinawans, shipwrecked on [[Taiwan]], were killed by natives there developed into disputes between the Japanese Imperial government and that of Qing Dynasty China over sovereignty or suzerainty over Okinawa. After discussions in the Okinawan royal capital of Shuri with Japanese representatives of [[Satsuma han]], the Japanese government summoned King [[Sho Tai|Shô Tai]] to [[Tokyo]] to further discuss the political status of the Kingdom of Ryûkyû vis-a-vis Japan. So as to not imply his subordination to the [[Meiji Emperor]] by appearing before him himself, Shô Tai feigned illness and sent a mission on his behalf, led by his uncle Prince Ie, and by Giwan Chôho<ref name=kerr>Kerr, George. ''Okinawa: The History of an Island People'' (revised ed.). Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing, 2000. pp356-363.</ref>.

The Tokugawa shogunate fell in Japan in 1868, to be replaced by a new [[Government of Meiji Japan|Imperial government]]. Three years later, an incident in which a number of Okinawans, shipwrecked on [[Taiwan]], were killed by natives there developed into disputes between the Japanese Imperial government and that of Qing Dynasty China over sovereignty or suzerainty over Okinawa. After discussions in the Okinawan royal capital of Shuri with Japanese representatives of [[Satsuma han]], the Japanese government summoned King [[Sho Tai|Shô Tai]] to [[Tokyo]] to further discuss the political status of the Kingdom of Ryûkyû vis-a-vis Japan. So as to not imply his subordination to the [[Meiji Emperor]] by appearing before him himself, Shô Tai feigned illness and sent a mission on his behalf, led by his uncle Prince Ie, with Giwan Chôho as vice envoy<ref name=kerr>Kerr, George. ''Okinawa: The History of an Island People'' (revised ed.). Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing, 2000. pp356-363.</ref><ref name=plaque/>.

The mission was also to serve to officially present congratulations from the kingdom on the occasion of the birth of the new Imperial Japanese government<ref name=jinmei/>. [[Ryukyuan missions to Edo|Similar missions]] had journeyed to [[Edo]] in the past, on the occasion of the accession of a new [[shogun]]. As had occurred on the occasions of such previous missions, Giwan and his party presented a number of gifts to the Japanese, and were well received and well-treated. The ambassadors took part in a variety of activities organized by the [[Gaimusho|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]], including meeting with [[Ainu]] chiefs and attending the opening of the first railway in Japan<ref name=kerr/>.

The mission was also to serve to officially present congratulations from the kingdom on the occasion of the birth of the new Imperial Japanese government<ref name=jinmei/>. [[Ryukyuan missions to Edo|Similar missions]] had journeyed to [[Edo]] in the past, on the occasion of the accession of a new [[shogun]]. As had occurred on the occasions of such previous missions, Giwan and his party presented a number of gifts to the Japanese, and were well received and well-treated. The ambassadors took part in a variety of activities organized by the [[Gaimusho|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]], including meeting with [[Ainu]] chiefs and attending the opening of the first railway in Japan<ref name=kerr/>.

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Ryukyu]]