Shō Shitsu (尚質, 1629–1668) was a king of the Ryukyu Kingdom who held the throne from 1648 until his death in 1668.
On at least one occasion, Ryukyuan tribute ships were attacked by pirates or rebels, who killed at least one of the Ryukyuan sailors and stole various objects; the authorities of Satsuma Domain[2] declared the head envoy and his deputy to be at fault and had them executed.
[3] Though there was initially some uncertainty, particularly within Japan, as to whether the kingdom should support the new dynasty, or the Ming rebels, the Tokugawa shogunate left the decision up to Satsuma.
[3] A number of major reforms were effected in the final years of Shō Shitsu's reign, primarily at the guidance or suggestion of Shō Shōken, who was appointed sessei, a position which has been compared to prime minister, in 1666.
[4] Upon his death in 1668, he was entombed in the royal mausoleum Tamaudun,[5] and was succeeded by his eldest son, Shō Tei.