Shunbajunki

nihongo|Shunbajunki|舜馬順熙|(r. 1237-1248) was a "king" [Though all chief leaders of Okinawa beginning with Shunten (c. 1166-c. 1237) are commonly referred to by the title of "King", historian George Kerr points out that "it is misleading to attribute full-fledged 'kingship' to an Okinawan chief in these early centuries... distinctly individual leadership exercised through force of personality or preeminent skill in arms or political shrewdness was only slowly replaced by formal institutions of government - laws and ceremonies - supported and strengthened by a developing respect for the royal office" (Kerr, 52).] of Okinawa, the second of the Tenson Line. He succeeded his father Shunten in 1237.

Shunbajunki's reign is noted for the construction of Shuri Castle, and the introduction of the Japanese "kana" writing system. The Chinese language and writing system was not to be introduced until roughly a century later; even after that time, government documents continued to be written in "kana", as did much poetry.

Shunbajunki died in 1248, and was succeeded by his son Gihon.

References & Notes

*Kerr, George H. (2000). "". (revised ed.) Boston: Tuttle Publishing. pp50-51.
*Shinzato, Keiji , et al. "Okinawa-ken no rekishi " (History of Okinawa Prefecture). Tokyo: Yamakawa Publishing, 1996. p38.