Changes

*''Born: [[1873]]''

*''Died: 1945''

*''Titles: Member of the House of Peers (''帝国議会議員'', Teikoku gikai giin)''

*''Born: [[1873]]/4/6''

*''Died: 1945/6/16''

*''Titles: Member of the House of Peers (''帝国議会議員'', Teikoku gikai giin)'', 松山王子 ''(Prince Matsuyama)''

*''Other Names'': 鷺泉 ''(Rosen)''

*''Japanese'': [[尚]] 順 ''(Shou Jun)''

*''Japanese'': [[尚]] 順 ''(Shou Jun)''

Shô Jun was a prince of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]], the fourth son of King [[Sho Tai|Shô Tai]], the last king of the kingdom. He played a major role in founding many 20th century institutions in [[Okinawa]], including the ''[[Ryukyu Shimpo|Ryûkyû Shimpô]]'' newspaper, the [[Bank of Okinawa]], the ''Taishô Gekijô'' theater, and a canning factory, and was a major figure in both the Japanese political and investment worlds of his time.

Shô Jun was a prince of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]], the fourth son of King [[Sho Tai|Shô Tai]], the last king of the kingdom. He played a major role in founding many 20th century institutions in [[Okinawa]], including the ''[[Ryukyu Shimpo|Ryûkyû Shimpô]]'' newspaper in [[1893]], the [[Bank of Okinawa]], the ''Taishô Gekijô'' theater, and a canning factory, and was a major figure in both the Japanese political and investment worlds of his time.

Following the abolition of the kingdom in 1879, Shô Jun, along with the rest of the Ryukyuan royal family, was made a noble in the new Japanese ''[[kazoku]]'' system of peerage. His father, King Shô Tai, was made marquis (侯爵, ''kôshaku''); after his death in 1901, Shô Jun's eldest brother [[Sho Ten|Shô Ten]] inherited the title. After the end of the formal mourning period, the Shô family gave up the trappings, rituals, and formal costume of Ryukyuan royalty and adopted the lifestyle and customs of the Japanese aristocracy.<ref>Kerr, George H. ''Okinawa: The History of an Island People'' (revised ed.). Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing, 2003, pp. 452-453.</ref>

Following the abolition of the kingdom in 1879, Shô Jun, along with the rest of the Ryukyuan royal family, was made a noble in the new Japanese ''[[kazoku]]'' system of peerage. His father, King Shô Tai, was made marquis (侯爵, ''kôshaku''), while Shô Jun was named "baron" (''danshaku'') in [[1896]]. After former king Shô Tai's death in 1901, Shô Jun's eldest brother [[Sho Ten|Shô Ten]] inherited the title of Marquis. After the end of the formal mourning period, the Shô family gave up the trappings, rituals, and formal costume of Ryukyuan royalty and adopted the lifestyle and customs of the Japanese aristocracy.<ref>Kerr, George H. ''Okinawa: The History of an Island People'' (revised ed.). Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing, 2003, pp. 452-453.</ref>

Shô Jun was elected to the [[House of Peers]] of the [[Imperial Diet]] in 1904, and served two terms. After resigning his government post, he took over the administration of the Shô family's finances and other formal affairs.<ref>"Shō Jun." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). [http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41741-storytopic-121.html Ryukyu Shimpo] (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 3 January 2009.</ref>

Shô Jun was elected to the [[House of Peers]] of the [[Imperial Diet]] in 1904, and served two terms. After resigning his government post, he took over the administration of the Shô family's finances and other formal affairs.<ref>"Shō Jun." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). [http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41741-storytopic-121.html Ryukyu Shimpo] (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 3 January 2009.</ref>

In his later years, he managed the Tôbaru Plantation in [[Shuri]], and created a tropical botanical garden on Gogayama in [[Nakijin]]. He became known as a man of culture and refinement in many fields of interest and as a calligrapher as well.

In his later years, he managed the Tôbaru Plantation in [[Shuri]], and created a tropical botanical garden on Gogayama in [[Nakijin]]. He became known as a man of culture and refinement in many fields of interest and as a calligrapher as well.

Shô Jun was killed in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.

Shô Jun died in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. According to [[Yamazato Eikichi]], he fled south, as many people did, as the battle enveloped the central portions of [[Okinawa Island]]; lacking for food, he died of starvation or illness.<ref>Yamazato Eikichi 山里永吉, "Yamazato Eikichi" 「山里永吉」, ''Watashi no sengoshi'' 『私の戦後史』, vol. 2, Okinawa Times (1980), 93.</ref> His children included [[Sho Sen|Shô Sen]] (尚詮, 1926-1990), whose wife [[Sho Hiroko|Shô Hiroko]] (b. 1932) is perhaps the most prominent member of the Shô family alive today.

==References==

==References==