Protects sister chromatid centromere cohesion in meiosis I but not through the protection of the cohesin SYN1 (PubMed:23884434). Required with SGO2 for full protection of centromeric cohesion during anaphase I (PubMed:24206843). Required to prevent precocious release of pericentromeric cohesins during meiosis (PubMed:24206843). Not necessary for the maintenance of the synaptonemal complex (SC) (PubMed:23884434). Not required for monopolar spindle orientation in meiosis I (PubMed:24506176). Knock-down mutants show meiotic defects, reduction in seed set and fertility, and premature separation of sister chromatids before meiosis II, but no defects in vegetative development or growth (PubMed:24206843, PubMed:23884434). The localization of SYN1 and ZYP1 are not affected (PubMed:23884434). Sgo1 and sgo2 double mutants are almost completely sterile and show a premature separation of sister chromatids at anaphase I (PubMed:24506176). Shugoshin is Japanese for guardian spirit. Belongs to the shugoshin family.