Shunten (舜天, 1166-1237) was a king[1] of the Ryūkyū Islands.[2]
Shunten is the earliest king in Okinawa for whom a name is known. He is said to have taken power after defeating a usurper to the throne by the name of Riyū who had overthrown the 25th king of the Tenson Dynasty[3].
Known as Sonton (尊敦) prior to becoming king, at the age of 15 he became lord (anji) of Urasoe; in 1187, he overthrew Riyū and established his royal seat of power at Urasoe castle, marking the beginning of a new dynasty of rulers[3].
There are legends which state that Shunten was the son of Minamoto no Tametomo, who had been exiled to Izu Ōshima following his defeat in the Hōgen Rebellion. According to this theory, Tametomo then became lost at sea some time later, arriving on Okinawa, settling down with the sister of the anji of Ōzato, and siring Shunten[3]. Most historians today, however, discount this entire story as a later invention, a piece of a revisionist history intended to legitimize Japanese domination over Okinawa and/or Okinawan membership in the Japanese nation.
Shunten died in 1237 and was succeeded by his son Shunbajunki. He is buried at Urasoe yōdore, and enshrined at Naminoue Shrine along with three other Ryukyuan kings.[4]
Shunten's dynasty ended in the third generation when his grandson Gihon abdicated, went into exile, and was succeeded by Eiso, who began a new royal lineage.
| Preceded by — |
King of Ryūkyū Islands 1187–1237 |
Succeeded by Shunbajunki |