| As king, Shô Hô had to work to effect the restoration of the system of [[Chinese investiture envoys]], which was severed due to the invasions. Beijing required that not only the king but a majority of his court nobles be in support of an [[investiture]] mission being dispatched. Initially, a large faction at court opposed this move as continued trade with China would be just what Satsuma wanted to exploit Ryûkyû for; Shô Hô was successful, however, in the end, in negotiating with that faction and securing the reestablishment of [[tribute]]/investiture relations, which was a concession to Satsuma, but which also served to maintain the prestige of Ryûkyû and its monarchy, and to avoid raising the ire of Satsuma once again, which could have had disastrous results for the kingdom's sovereignty. After requesting investiture from Beijing in 1621, [[1625]], [[1626]], and [[1627]], Shô Hô finally received investiture in [[1633]].<ref name=tomi67/> This was to be the last investiture mission sent by the [[Ming Dynasty]]. | | As king, Shô Hô had to work to effect the restoration of the system of [[Chinese investiture envoys]], which was severed due to the invasions. Beijing required that not only the king but a majority of his court nobles be in support of an [[investiture]] mission being dispatched. Initially, a large faction at court opposed this move as continued trade with China would be just what Satsuma wanted to exploit Ryûkyû for; Shô Hô was successful, however, in the end, in negotiating with that faction and securing the reestablishment of [[tribute]]/investiture relations, which was a concession to Satsuma, but which also served to maintain the prestige of Ryûkyû and its monarchy, and to avoid raising the ire of Satsuma once again, which could have had disastrous results for the kingdom's sovereignty. After requesting investiture from Beijing in 1621, [[1625]], [[1626]], and [[1627]], Shô Hô finally received investiture in [[1633]].<ref name=tomi67/> This was to be the last investiture mission sent by the [[Ming Dynasty]]. |
− | His eldest son, Shô Kyô, died before being able to succeed his father. Shô Hô's second son, [[Sashiki Choeki|Shô Bun]] (also known as Prince Sashiki Chôeki), led an embassy to Kagoshima and Kyoto in [[1634]], but also died before his father. Shô Hô was thus succeeded by his third son, who took the throne as King [[Sho Ken|Shô Ken]] in [[1640]]. | + | His eldest son, Shô Kyô, died before being able to succeed his father. Shô Hô's second son, [[Sashiki Choeki|Shô Bun]] (also known as Prince Sashiki Chôeki), led an embassy to Kagoshima and Kyoto in [[1634]], but since he was considered sickly or weak, Shô Hô was succeeded instead by his third son, who took the throne as King [[Sho Ken|Shô Ken]] in [[1640]]. |