Ginowan Chōshō


Ginowan Wōji Chōshō, also known by Ginowan Chōyō and his Chinese style name Shō, was a prince of Ryukyu Kingdom.
Prince Ginowan was the fourth son of King Shō Boku. He was also a half-brother of Crown Prince Shō Tetsu and Prince Urasoe Chōō, and a full-brother of Prince Yoshimura Chōgi.
Prince Ginowan was adopted by Gushichan Chōken. Later, he became the tenth head of Oroku Udun.
He was dispatched together with Kōchi Ryōtoku in 1790 to celebrate Tokugawa Ienari accede as shōgun of the Tokugawa shogunate. They sailed back in the next year.
Prince Ginowan had no heir, and adopted Shō Kō, the fourth son of Crown Prince Shō Tetsu, as his adopted son. After King Shō Sei died young in 1803, he gave up his fatherhood. Shō Kō was still regarded as a son of Shō Tetsu and was able to ascend the throne. King Shō had a good relationship with him, and gave presents to him at every new year and birthday.
Prince Gonowan served as sessei from 1817 to 1820. He was designated as a member of the Okinawan Thirty-Six Immortals of Poetry.