Though Satsuma initially exercised a strong hand in declaring policy in Ryûkyû, and purging the royal government of those perceived as disloyal to Satsuma, by 1616 this approach came to an end<ref name=Smits/>. "Japanization" measures were reversed, at the request of Satsuma, and Shô Nei was once more formally granted primacy over his kingdom. For the remainder of his reign, Shô Nei would continue to bear all the trappings of royal authority, and exercised great power over his domain within the frameworks set by Satsuma. | Though Satsuma initially exercised a strong hand in declaring policy in Ryûkyû, and purging the royal government of those perceived as disloyal to Satsuma, by 1616 this approach came to an end<ref name=Smits/>. "Japanization" measures were reversed, at the request of Satsuma, and Shô Nei was once more formally granted primacy over his kingdom. For the remainder of his reign, Shô Nei would continue to bear all the trappings of royal authority, and exercised great power over his domain within the frameworks set by Satsuma. |