Shuri Castle

Shuri Castle 首里城
Naha, Okinawa, Japan
Main hall of Shuri Castle
Type	Gusuku
Built	14th century, last rebuilt 1958-1992
Construction materials	Stone, wood
In use	14th century - 1945
Demolished	1945, numerous times previous
Current condition	Reconstructed, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Controlled by	Chūzan (14th century-1429), Ryūkyū Kingdom (1429-1879), Japan (1879-present)
Occupants	Kings of Chūzan and Ryūkyū Kingdom
Battles/wars	Battle of Okinawa (1945)

Shuri Castle (Okinawan: sui ugusiku, Japanese: 首里城 Shurijō) is a gusuku (Ryūkyūan castle) in Shuri, Okinawa. It was the palace of the Ryūkyū Kingdom. In 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, it was almost completely destroyed, with only a few walls standing as high as a few decimeters. In 1992, it was reconstructed on the original site based on photographs, historical records, and memory.

History

Shureimon

The date of construction is uncertain, but clearly it was in use as a castle during the Sanzan period. It is thought that it was probably built during the Gusuku period, like the other castles of Okinawa. When King Shō Hashi unified the three sections of Okinawa and established the Ryūkyū Kingdom, he used Shuri Castle as a residence. At the same time, Shuri flourished as the capital, and continued to do so during the second Sho dynasty.

For 450 years from the beginning of the 15th century, it was the royal court and administrative center of the Ryūkyūan Kingdom. It was the focal point of foreign trade, as well as the political, economical and cultural heart of the Ryūkyūs.

According to records, Shuri Castle burned several times, and was reconstructed each time. Before the war, it was designated a National Treasure, but during the war, the Japanese military set up its headquarters underground at the castle, and beginning on May 25, 1945, the American battleship Missouri and others shelled it for three days. On May 27 it burned.

After the war, the University of the Ryūkyūs moved to the castle site. In 1958, the Shureimon gate was rebuilt, and in 1992, the main building of the castle was reconstructed. At present, the entire area around the castle has been established as Shuri Castle Park. In 2000, along with other gusuku and related sites, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sites of Interest at Shuri Castle

Because of its central role in Ryūkyūan political and religious life, Shuri Castle is surrounded by various sites of historical interest. Featured in their own articles are Shureimon, the main gate to the castle, and Tamaudun, the royal tombs located adjacent to Shuri Castle.

Stone Gate of Sonohyan-utaki

Sonohyan Utaki Shrine with ishi-mon Gate

This stone gate to the left of Shureimon gate was erected in 1519 by King Sho Shin, the third king of the second Sho dynasty. Here at the Sonohyan-utaki, the King offered prayers for order throughout the Kingdom and safety at the outset of all his travels. The stone gate reflects the Kingdom's advanced limestone masonry skills. It is designated an important national cultural property, and is itself also registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, separate from Shuri Castle.

Shikina-en

Built in 1799, the royal gardens and villa were not only where the royals relaxed but was also used to host the investiture envoys who came from the Great Empire, China. The garden's circle layout resembles plans used in modern Japanese gardens, but the Villa itself with its red tile is uniquely Ryūkyūan, and pond and bridge to the miniature island is in the Chinese style. This is a rare, historically valuable example of Ryūkyūan landscape gardening, and Shikina-en is also registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, separate from Shuri Castle.

Kankaimon

Kankaimon

First built around 1477-1500 during the reign of King Sho Shin, the gate was burned down during the Battle of Okinawa and restored in 1974. Kankaimon is the first front gate to Shuri Castle. Kankai means welcome. The gate was named to express welcome to the investiture envoys that visited Shuri Castle as representatives of the Chinese Emperor.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Shuri Castle

• Shuri Castle Park
• Prefecture of Okinawa | Shuri-jo
• Okinawa Prefectural Government | Shurijo

Coordinates: 26°13′1.31″N, 127°43′10.11″E

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