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He became head of Haneji ''[[magiri]]'' in [[1652]], having already inherited the household from his father in 1640<ref>"Haneji Chôshû." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). [http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-42658-storytopic-121.html Ryukyu Shimpo] (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 11 October 2009.</ref>.
He became head of Haneji ''[[magiri]]'' in [[1652]], having already inherited the household from his father in 1640<ref>"Haneji Chôshû." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). [http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-42658-storytopic-121.html Ryukyu Shimpo] (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 11 October 2009.</ref>.
Shô Shôken was named ''sessei'', a post which has been compared to that of "prime minister", in 1666, replacing Prince [[Gushikawa Choei|Gushikawa Chôei]], who was forced to resign by Satsuma, following his poor handling of the [[Chatan-Eso Affair]]<ref name=smits/>. It is said that when a royal messenger first came to his residence in [[Kumemura]] to inform him of this appointment, he refused to accept the post, claiming that such a post was too important for a mere messenger to be sent; he was soon afterwards visited by Inoha ''[[ueekata]]'', a member of ''[[Sanshikan]]'', one of the top three royal advisors, and once more offered the post, which he accepted<ref name=smits/>.
Shô Shôken was named ''sessei'', a post which has been compared to that of "prime minister", in [[1666]], replacing Prince [[Gushikawa Choei|Gushikawa Chôei]], who was forced to resign by Satsuma, following his poor handling of the [[Chatan-Eso Affair]]<ref name=smits/>. It is said that when a royal messenger first came to his residence in [[Kumemura]] to inform him of this appointment, he refused to accept the post, claiming that such a post was too important for a mere messenger to be sent; he was soon afterwards visited by Inoha ''[[ueekata]]'', a member of ''[[Sanshikan]]'', one of the top three royal advisors, and once more offered the post, which he accepted<ref name=smits/>.
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.
==References==
==References==
*Plaque at birthplace of Haneji Chôshû, at Shuri Ônaka-chô 1-41.
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