After the Shimazu invasion in 1609, despite the passing of half a century, the Ryukyu Kingdom was still in a state of confusion. People had lost their vigor. During this period of confusion, it was Haneji Choshu who began to strike bold political reform and began the reconstruction of the Ryukyu Kingdom. He aided in the conversion of Ryukyuan society from the Ancient Ryukyus to the Latter Period Ryukyus. He also has a Chinese name, Sho Jo ken. When he became Regent (minister who assists king and takes charge in state affairs) he made the following reforms:
| 1. | The prohibition of luxury for all classes including the royal families to encourage thrift. |
| 2. | The prohibition of prostitution and strict enforcement of moral discipline. |
| 3. | Elimination of the political influence of the supreme priestess and other court ladies and reform in the customs of traditional religion. |
| 4. | Controls on the unjust practices of public officials and promotion of land reclamation by farmers in order to reconstruct devastated agricultural villages. |
| 5. | Allowed the samurai to learn the cultural accomplishments of the Ryukyus and persuaded them of the necessity for education as a tool in the negotiations with the Satsuma Domain. |
These various precepts were organized and called the Haneji Shioki (Haneji Chastisements).
Sefa Utaki (Sacred Area)
