Gushikawa Chōei Explained

Gushikawa Chōei
Native Name:具志川朝盈
Native Name Lang:ja
Office:sessei of Ryūkyū
Term Start:1654
Term End:1666
Predecessor:Kin Chōtei
Successor:Haneji Chōshū
Birth Date:4 January 1610
Death Date:?
Nickname:Seijin Aji-ganashi (聖人按司加那志)
Blank1:Childhood name
Blank2:Chinese name
Data2:Shō Kyō (尚亨)
Blank3:Rank
Data3:Wōji
Parents:Shō Kyū (father)

, also known by and his Chinese style name, was a member of the royal family of the Ryukyu Kingdom who served as sessei, a post often translated as "prime minister", from 1654 to 1666.

Gushikawa Chōei was the seventh son of Kin Chōkō and Shuriōkimi Aji-ganashi. He was also a half-brother of King Shō Hō. After Shō Shitsu succeeded the throne, he led a mission Edo in 1649.

Gushikawa Chōei was also the author of Ishinagu nu uta, a ryūka poem/song known for its striking thematic similarity to Kimigayo, the national anthem of Japan.[1] [2]

Notes and References

  1. 渡久地政宰『日本文学から見た琉歌概論』(武蔵野書院1972年)、pp. 299-300
  2. 石川盛亀『初心者のための琉歌入門』(ニライ社、1998年)、pp. 168-169