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Ogiyaka

1445 – 1505

Female politician, spouse of Shō En

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About Ogiyaka

Lived 1445 – 1505 (aged 59–60). Ogiyaka was a politician.

, also known as Ukiyaka or Yosoidon (1445–1505), was Queen of the Ryukyu Kingdom from 1469 until her death. She married Shō En before he became king, and acted as regent during the early years of Shō Shin's reign.

Life Ogiyaka was born in 1445, possibly in Shuri, Okinawa. She became the second wife of Kanemaru, and gave birth to a son in 1465 at age 21. After King Shō Toku died, Kanemaru became King of the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1469 and adopted the name Shō En, making their son, Shō Shin, the heir to the throne and their eldest daughter the royal high priestess. She held the titles of and .

Shō En died in 1476, however, and his brother, Shō Sen'i, took the throne. The high priestess promptly had a vision that the King should abdicate in favor of Shō Shin, then almost 13 years old, and Shō Sen'i abdicated. It has been theorized that Ogiyaka orchestrated the abdication to maintain power. Ogiyaka acted as regent for many years until Shō Shin took control from her. During her rule, she oversaw the construction of the Enkaku-ji temple and the Tamaudun mausoleum, as well as the enlargement of the Sogen-ji temple.

She died in 1505 at the age of 61 and was buried in Tamaudun. Stories of "the Queen Mother" persisted as late as the 1540s.

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Important facts

Born
1445
Birth century
Died
1505
Occupation
Nationality
Ryukyu Kingdom
Positions held
Queen of Ryukyu
Also known as
Ukiyaka, Yosoidon, Yushiiudun Ufuanjiganashi, Yushiiufuchura Gumeeganashi

Family & relationships

Spouse
Shō En
Child
Shō Shin

People in Ogiyaka's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Ogiyaka's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Ogiyaka?

female politician, spouse of Shō En

When was Ogiyaka born?

Ogiyaka was born in 1445.

When did Ogiyaka die?

Ogiyaka died in 1505.

What was Ogiyaka's occupation?

Ogiyaka was a politician.

What nationality was Ogiyaka?

Ogiyaka's recorded nationality: Ryukyu Kingdom.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Ogiyaka

· Wikidata: Q15913506

· DBpedia: Ogiyaka

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ogiyaka. https://biography.guide/ogiyaka/

MLA: "Ogiyaka." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ogiyaka/.

Chicago: "Ogiyaka." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ogiyaka/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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