After the annexation in 1871 the Ryukyu King Shou tai 尚泰 was given the rank of marquess in the newly established Kazoku system of nobility and was forced to relocate to Tokyo.

Most of the family survived World War 2, except Shou tai's fourth son Shou Jun 尚順 and most of his descendants, who were killed at the Battle of Okinawa.

The family still exists. 尚泰 Shou tai's eldest son was Shou ten 尚典. His eldest son was Shou shou 尚昌. His eldest son was Shou Hiroshi 尚裕. His eldest son is Shou Mamoru 尚衞, who is the current head of the household and 66 years old. There have been many sons and daughters of the Shou 尚 family, who have intermarried with many prominent Okinawans and Japanese. Many of the family's descendants have been involved in politics and business in Okinawa. Other prominent members include food scientist Shou Michiko who came up with the famous octopus shaped sausages, singer song writer Irei Shuichi, and actress Higa Manami who revealed that she was a descendant of the 尚 family just a few weeks ago.