Background
Shō Taikyū was the seventh son of Shō Hashi, founder of the Ryūkyū Kingdom and of the Shō Dynasty.
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Sho Taikyu
Edit Profile尚 泰久
Career
In 1453, he was named Prince of Goeku, and given Goeku magiri (today part of Okinawa City) as his domain. Shuri Castle was burned down in the conflict, which ended in the death of both Shiro and Furi, and the succession of Shō Taikyū to the throne. The bell, with an inscription describing the kingdom"s prosperity in maritime trade and diplomacy, hung in Shuri Castle for centuries and became a famous symbol of the castle and of the kingdom.
Shō Taikyū"s reign was, indeed, a period of prosperity in maritime trade.
Historian George H. Kerr writes that Okinawan merchants sometimes earned as much as a thousand-percent return on luxury goods, that Naha grew more fully into a prosperous-looking port town, and the estates of the local lords (anji) grew as well. The reign of Shō Taikyū also saw one of the more famous episodes of political intrigues among the Aji in the history & legends of the kingdom.
Following Gosamaru"s defeat and subsequent death, the king discovered that it was in fact Amawari who had been plotting against him from the beginning, and whose schemes led to the destruction of a loyal retainer. Katsuren was then subsequently attacked by the Ryukyuan army led by Uni-Ufugusuku, and Amawari captured and executed.
