Shuri Castle

Shuri Castle (Japanese: 首里城, Hepburn: Shuri-jō; Okinawan: Sui Gusuku) is a Ryukyuan gusuku castle in the historic Shuri district of Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Between 1429 and 1879, it was the palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, before becoming largely neglected. In 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, it was almost completely destroyed. The site of Shuri Castle has been protected by the central government as a National Historic Site since 1972. After the war, the castle was re-purposed as a university campus. Beginning in 1992, the central citadel and walls were largely reconstructed on the original site based on historical records, photographs, and memory. In 2000, Shuri Castle was designated as a World Heritage Site, as a part of the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. The Shoen and Sasu-no-ma Gardens (鎖之間庭園) were designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 2009. On the morning of 31 October 2019, the main courtyard structures of the castle were again destroyed in a fire. Reconstruction is ongoing and is expected to be fully completed by the autumn of 2026, with a completion ceremony scheduled for November 22nd. History The date of construction is uncertain, but it was clearly in use as a castle during the Sanzan period (1322–1429). It is thought that it was probably built during the Gusuku period, like many other castles of Okinawa. When King Shō Hashi unified the three principalities of Okinawa and established the Ryukyu Kingdom, he used Shuri as a residence. At the same time, Shuri flourished as the capital and continued to do so during the Second Shō dynasty. For 450 years from 1429, it was the royal court and administrative center of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It was the focal point of foreign trade, as well as the political, economic, and cultural heart of the Ryukyu Islands. According to records, the castle burned down several times, and rebuilt each time. During the reign of Shō Nei, samurai forces from the Japanese feudal domain of Satsuma seized Shuri on 6 May 1609. The Japanese withdrew soon afterwards, returning Shō Nei to his throne two years later, and the castle and city to the Ryukyuans, though the kingdom was now a vassal state under Satsuma's suzerainty and would remain so for roughly 250 years. Decline In the 1850s, Commodore Matthew C. Perry twice forced his way into Shuri Castle, but was denied an audience with the king both times. In 1879, the kingdom was annexed by the Empire of Japan and the last king, Shō Tai, was compelled to move to Tokyo, and in 1884, he was granted the rank of marquess in the kazoku peerage. Subsequently, the castle was used as a barracks by the Imperial Japanese Army. The Japanese garrison withdrew in 1896, but not before having created a series of tunnels and caverns below it. Shuri Castle was used as a military camp by the Imperial Japanese Army's 6th Division, until 1908, when Shuri City bought the castle; however, they did not have funding to renovate it. The Okinawa Prefectural Shuri Girls' High School (Shuri Elementary School for Girls, Okinawa Prefectural Girls' Technical School) was built on its grounds in 1912. By 1923, the dilapidated Seiden was considered for demolition due to the risk of collapse. However, thanks to the efforts of Tokyo Imperial University professor and architect Ito Chuta who was conducting cultural research in Okinawa, the demolition plan was halted. Instead, in order to make the building subject to the 1897 Ancient Shrines and Temples Preservation Law, Okinawa Shrine was built behind the Seiden and the Seiden was designated as the Shinto shrine's worship hall, allowing it to be restored using national funds. When the National Treasure Preservation Law was enacted in 1929, it was designated a national treasure and was to be preserved by the state. Despite its decline, historian George H. Kerr described the castle as "one of the most magnificent castle sites to be found anywhere in the world, for it commands the countryside below for miles around and looks toward distant sea horizons on every side." World War II During World War II, the Imperial Japanese Army's 32nd Army had set up its headquarters in a bunker beneath the castle, and by early 1945 had established complex lines of defense and communications in the regions around Shuri, and across the southern part of the island as a whole. The Japanese defenses, centered on Shuri Castle, held off the massive American assault from 1 April through the month of May 1945. Beginning on 25 May, and as the final part of the Okinawa campaign, the American battleship Mississippi shelled it for three days and by 27 May it was ablaze. The Japanese retreated during the night, abandoning Shuri, and an estimated 5000 wounded soldiers who could not walk committed suicide in the underground bunker while the US forces continued to pursue the remaining survivors south. US Marine and Army units secured the castle against little resistance. On 29 May, Maj. Gen. Pedro del Valle—commanding the 1st Marine Division—ordered Captain Julian D. Dusenbury of Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines to capture the castle, which represented both strategic and psychological blows for the Japanese and was a milestone in the campaign. Many cultural assets of the Ryukyu Kingdom were destroyed in the fighting, including many historical documents. The treasure house escaped damage, but all of the treasures inside were looted by the US military. Some of the property was returned shortly after the war, and the locations of others have been identified and negotiations for their return are currently underway. Post-war After the war, the University of the Ryukyus was established in 1950 on the castle site, where it remained until 1975. In 1958, Shureimon was reconstructed and, starting from 1992, the 20th anniversary of reversion, the main buildings and surrounding walls of the central castle were 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. However, only remnants such as stone walls and building foundations extant before 1950 are officially designated as World Heritage. In addition, 2000 saw the Shureimon gate at Shuri Castle featured on the new 2000 yen note, which entered circulation to commemorate the new millennium and the 26th G8 summit, which was held in Okinawa. 2019 fire In the morning of 31 October 2019, a large fire broke out and burned down the Seiden, the main hall, and also the Hokuden and Nanden, adjacent buildings to the north and south. A security alarm went off around 2:30 a.m., and a call to emergency services was placed around 10 minutes later. The Seiden, Hokuden, Nanden and Bandokoro were completely destroyed. According to domestic news sources, "Six castle buildings occupying some 4,200 square metres (45,000 sq ft) in total were gutted." The fire was put out around 1:30 p.m. Okinawa Police later told domestic broadcaster NHK that a security guard who checked on the alarm found that the main entrance doors to the Seiden were closed. When the guard unlocked the shutter and went inside, the interior was already filled with smoke. After police initially ruled out arson, authorities said that the fire was likely caused by an electrical fault after a burned electrical distribution board was found in the northeast side of where the Seiden had stood. Police investigations later revealed that the lighting panel had no signs of short circuiting, though a surveillance camera did capture flashing light in the Seiden main hall shortly before and after the fire. The fire was the fifth time that Shuri Castle has been destroyed following previous incidents in 1453, 1660, 1709 and 1945. Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki said after the fire that Shuri Castle is "a symbol of the Ryukyu Kingdom, an expression of its history and culture", and has vowed to rebuild it. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that Shuri Castle is "an extremely important symbol of Okinawa". The Japanese Government is considering supplemental appropriations to support restoration work. UNESCO also said it would be ready to assist with Shuri Castle's reconstruction. A crowdfunding campaign set up by Naha City officials for the rebuilding of Shuri Castle had received over $3.2 million in donations as of 6 November 2019. Rebuilding efforts to restore the destroyed sections of Shuri Castle began in February 2020. Restoration of the roof tiles began in July 2024, and at that time it was expected that the renovations would be fully completed by the autumn of 2026. In May 2021, a scale replica of the castle measuring one twenty fifth of the size of the actual structure was recreated at the Tobu World Square theme park in Kinugawa Onsen. The exterior of the main hall was restored in 2025, with interior renovations expected to be completed in the autumn of 2026. Construction Unlike Japanese castles, Shuri Castle was greatly influenced by Chinese architecture, with functional and decorative elements similar to that seen primarily in the Forbidden City. The gates and various buildings were painted in red with lacquer, walls and eaves colorfully decorated, and roof tiles made of Goryeo and later red Ryukyuan tiles, and the decoration of each part heavily using the king's dragon. Given that the Nanden and Bandokoro were both used for reception and entertainment of the Satsuma clan, a Japanese style design was used here only. Ryukyuan elements also dominate. Like other gusuku, the castle was built using Ryukyuan limestone, being surrounded by an outer shell which was built during the Second Shō dynasty from the second half of the 15th century to the first half of the 16th century. Similarly, Okushoin-en is the only surviving garden in a gusuku in the Ryukyu Islands, which made use of the limestone bedrock and arranged using local cycads. The current renovation is designed with a focus on the castle's role as a cultural or administrative/political center, rather than one for military purposes. The buildings that had been restored as original wooden buildings (and subsequently destroyed in the 2019 fire) were only in the main citadel. The Seiden was rebuilt using wood from Taiwan and elsewhere after rituals blessing the removal of large trees from mountains in the Yanbaru region of Okinawa took place. Other buildings, such as the Nanden or Hokuden were only restored as facades, with interiors made using modern materials such as steel and concrete. Old walls remain in part, and were excavated and incorporated during the construction of the new castle wall, forming the only surviving external remains of the original castle. Sites of interest Due to its central role in Ryukyuan political and religious life, Shuri is composed of and surrounded by various sites of historical interest. The castle complex itself can be divided into three main zones, namely a central administrative area (including the Seiden (Okinawan: Umundashī-udun) and main courtyard (Okinawan: U-naa)), an eastern living and ceremonial space (behind the Seiden, called the Ouchibara (Okinawan: Uuchibara, lit. "inside field")), and a southwestern ceremonial area including the Kyo-no-uchi (Okinawan: Chuu-nu-uchi, literally "inside capital")). Buildings All of the buildings located at Shuri Castle are modern reconstructions, the originals being lost in 1945. Bandokoro (番所; Okinawan: バンドゥクル, Bandukuru) – located south of the U-naa, and paired with the Nanden, originally the main reception area, currently housing a museum. The two were built between 1621 and 1627. Hokuden (北殿; Okinawan: 北御殿, ニシヌウドゥン, Nishi-nu-udun) – the "North Hall", located north of the U-naa, originally a judicial and administrative center where Chinese envoys (冊封使, Sappōshi) were also received, currently housing a museum and gift-shop. Originally called the Nishi-nu-udun or Giseiden, it was built around 1506–1521. Keizuza (系図座) – located east of the lower courtyard (Okinawan: Shicha-nu-unaa), originally the government office responsible for the genealogy of noble families, currently housing a tearoom and stage for Ryukyuan dance shows. Kinju-tsumesho (近習詰所) – a work area for high-officials (such as the Kinju-gashira, Kinju-yaku, and Hisa), currently a passageway between the Nanden and Seiden. Kugani-udun (クガニウドゥン, 黄金御殿) – private area for the king, his wife, and mother, south of the Seiden. Originally dated to at least 1671, and rebuilt by 1715, it connected the Nanden to Oku-goshoin. Inner rooms included the Suzuhiki and Ochane-zume. Nanden (南殿; Okinawan: フェーヌウドゥン, 南殿, Fee-nu-udun) – the "South Hall", formerly an entertainment area for Satsuma envoys, currently an exhibition space. Ni-kei-udun (二階御殿; Okinawan: Unīkē-udun) – a sitting room for the king linked to the Seiden. Built in 1765, it was later extended south in 1874. Nyokan-kyoshitsu (女官居室) or Gushikunchu utsumesho (城人御詰所) – unknown function. Located north of the Kushi-nu-unaa. Oku-shoin (奥書院; Okinawan: ウクグシュイン, 奥御書院, Uku-gushuin) – rest house for the king, south of the Seiden, originally dated to at least 1715. Sasunoma (鎖之間) – anteroom located south of the Nanden for royal princes, and guest/official reception area. Seiden (正殿; Okinawan: 百浦添御殿, Umundashī-udun) – the "Main Hall", also called the State Palace, was situated to the east of the U-naa, but facing west towards China, and contains the throne room and royal living and ceremonial areas. The western facade includes two 4.1 meter high Dai-Ryu Chu (Great Dragon Pillars), crafted of sandstone from Yonaguni Island, and symbols of the king. The left dragon is called Ungyou, and the right is Agyou, and these motifs are replicated throughout the building including the roof. Other decorative elements include botan (peony flowers), shishi (golden dragons), and zuiun (clouds). The Shichagui (first floor) was where the king personally conducted affairs of state and ceremonies. The Usasuka was the lower area in front of where the king sat, with the Hira-usasuka (side-areas) flanking either side. The second floor included the Ufugui, the area for the queen and her attendants, and the Usasuku, the upper main throne room of the king. Behind it are the Osenmikocha, chambers where the king would pray daily. According to historical records, the Seiden was burned down and rebuilt five times (most recently in 2019), and was also used as the prayer hall for a Shinto shrine between 1923–1945. Shoin (書院; Okinawan: グシュイン, 御書院, Gushuin) – study and office of the king, south of the Nanden, where Chinese/Satsuma officials were entertained when visiting. Suimuikan (首里杜館) – cultural/exhibition center, gift shop, and restaurant area. Tomoya (供屋) – unknown function, but now housing the Bridge of Nations Bell replica. Yohokoriden (世誇殿; Okinawan: ユブクイウドゥン, 世誇御殿, Yubukui-udun) – immediately east of the Seiden, it was the regular sleeping area for unmarried princesses, and the location of the ascension ceremony. Yōmotsuza (用物座) – paired building with the Keizuza, which dealt with the goods and materials used inside the castle. Yuinchi (Okinawan: ユインチ, 寄満) – royal food preparation area, connected to the Kugani-udun, dated to at least 1715. Attendants included the Hocho (chef) and Agama (female servants). Courtyards (~unaa) Kushi-nu-unaa (Okinawan: クシヌウナー, 後之御庭) – the living area immediately behind the Seiden, surrounded by the Nyokan-kyoshitsu and the Yuinchi. Shicha-nu-unaa (Okinawan: シチャヌウナー, 下之御庭) – the lower area between Houshinmon and Koufukumon. U-naa (Okinawan: ウナー, 御庭) – the central and primary reception and ceremonial area of the castle in front of the Seiden. Gates (~mon) Bifukumon (美福門; Okinawan: アカタウジョー, Akata-ujō) – a gate leading south of the Kushi-nu-unaa courtyard, leading to the Ouchibara, called Akata-ujō prior to the construction of the Keiseimon gate. Chūzanmon (中山門; Okinawan: 下の綾門, シムヌアイジョー, Shimu-nu-aijō) – the first ceremonial gate to Shuri Castle, built around 1427 by King Shō Hashi, it was demolished in 1907. Hakuginmon (白銀門; Okinawan: Shirugani-ujō) – the easternmost gate leading to the Shinbyoden. Hōshinmon (奉神門; Okinawan: キミフクイウジョー, Kimihukui-ujō) – the main citadel entrance to the U-naa, currently the ticket check gate. Although the period of construction is unknown, the stone balustrades were completed in 1562. Kankaimon (歓会門; Okinawan: あまへ御門, Amae-ujō) – built around 1477–1500 during the reign of King Shō Shin, the gate was burned down during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945 and restored in 1974. It is the first main gate to the castle. Kankai (歓会), which means "welcome", the gate was named to express welcome to the investiture envoys who visited Shuri as representatives of the Chinese Emperor. Keiseimon (継世門; Okinawan: 添継御門, Kōchiji-ujō, Suetsugi-ujō) – a southwest gate south of the Bifukumon. Normally a side-gate, it was used by the Crown Prince when officially ascending the throne. The door was restored in 1998. Kobikimon (木曳門) – a trade gate usually blocked with stones, but opened for movement of building and wall repair materials. Kōfukumon (広福門; Okinawan: ナガウジョー, Naga-ujō) – the entrance into the Shicha-nu-unaa courtyard, currently the ticket purchase gate. Historically, the eastern wing of the building housed Okumiza, the deputy's office to intervene in disputes between noble families. The west wing housed the Jishaza, the magistrate responsible for supervising the places of worship. Kyūkeimon (久慶門; Okinawan: フクイウジョー, Hukui-ujō) – the northern gate mostly used by women. Hukui mean "Pleasant Pride". It was built during the reign of King Shō Shin. Rōkokumon (漏刻門; Okinawan: カグイシウジョー,Kaguishi-ujō) – a gate housing a rōkoku (water clock) in the turret. Visitors would dismount their horses or palanquins here. Shukujunmon (淑順門; Okinawan: ウナカウジョー, Unaka-ujō) – the citadel gate north of the Seiden, leading to the Ouchibara. Shureimon (守礼門; Okinawan: ウィーヌトゥリ, Wii-nu-turi) – the second ceremonial gate built between 1527 and 1555, and now the main gate to the complex. Uekimon (右掖門; Okinawan: 寄内御門, Yusufichi-nu-ujō) – leads directly to the Kyūkeimon gate. It was used as a service entrance to the Ouchibara. Zuisenmon (瑞泉門; Okinawan: 樋川御門, Fijā-ujō) – literally "splendid and auspicious spring gate", located near the Ryuhi and probably built around 1470. Shrines (~utaki) and temples (~ji) Benzaitendo (弁財天堂; Okinawan: Bizaitindō) – a shrine built to house Housatsuzou-kyou (Buddhist scriptures) gifted by Sejo, the 7th Joseon king of Korea. Enkaku-ji (円覚寺; Okinawan: Ufutira) – a Buddhist temple for the royal family in the lower precincts north of the citadel, constructed in 1492. Kawarume-utaki (苅銘御嶽) – a small private shrine near the Okushoin. Kyo-no-uchi (京の内; Okinawan: Chuu-nu-uchi) – a large open ritual area where prayers by the Kikoe-ōgimi high-priestess were made. Sonohyan-utaki (園比屋武御嶽; Okinawan: Sunuhyan-utaki) – a sacred stone "gate" to the left of Shureimon was erected in 1519, where the king offered prayers for order throughout the kingdom and safety at the outset of his travels. Suimui-utaki (首里森御嶽) – a walled worship space, supposedly "created by the gods", inside the Shicha-nu-unaa courtyard. It is the theme of many of the songs and prayers recorded in the Omoro Sōshi, Ryukyu's oldest music collection. Other features Agari-no-azana (東のアザナ; Okinawan: Agari-nu-azana) – the eastern lookout point of the innermost wall. Enganchi (円鑑池; Okinawan: ビデーティングムイ, Bidētin-gumui) – a moat created around Benzaitendo). Hojo-bashi (放生橋) – a stone bridge behind Enkaku-ji. Iri-no-azana (西のアザナ; Okinawan: Iri-nu-azana) – a modern lookout tower overlooking Naha. Nichiei-dai (日影台) – a sundial in front of the Roukokumon gate and next to the Tomoya, which kept time in Shuri from around 1739 until 1879. Okushoin-en (奥書院園) – a private garden behind the Okushoin. Ouchibaru (御内原; Okinawan: Uuchibaru) – the residential area of the citadel to the east of the Seiden, forbidden to men except those of the royal family. Ryūhi (龍樋) – a natural spring in front of the Zuisenmon gate, with a dragon headed spout. Ryūtan (龍潭) – a man-made pond, built in 1427 and located north of the Shureimon gate. Shikina-en (識名園; Okinawan: Sichina-udun) – built in 1799, the royal gardens and villa are a rare, historically valuable example of Ryukyuan landscape gardening. Shinbyoden (寝廟殿; Okinawan: 御寝廟御殿, Ushinbyū-udun) – the easternmost area of the inner citadel where the body of a king was temporarily held. Tama-udun (玉陵) – the restored royal tombs of the Second Shō dynasty, located adjacent to Shuri Castle, where 17 kings, along with their queens and royal children, are entombed. Ceremonies Religious Shurijo operated not only as a base of political and military control, it was also regarded as a central religious sanctuary of the Ryukyuan people. Formerly there were 10 utaki (shrines) within the castle and the large area on the south-western side of the citadel was occupied by a sanctuary called Kyo-no-uchi. This was a place where natural elements, such as trees and natural limestone rocks were utilized. Although Noro (priestesses) carried out a number of nature rituals (as also sometimes occurs in Shinto), the contents of the rituals and the layout of the inner part of the sacred areas remain unclear. After the war, limited religious observance continued on the site, mostly with the placement of incense sticks on places formerly considered sacred. However, restoration of the castle stopped general access to these sites, and for this reason, "Shuri Castle was resurrected, but it was destroyed as a place of worship". Investiture Contacts between the Ryukyu Islands and China began in 1372 and lasted five centuries until the establishment of Okinawa Prefecture in 1879. When a new king commenced, the Emperor of China sent officials to attend the investiture ceremony at the castle. Through this ceremony, the kingdom reiterated its ties with China, both politically, commercially, and culturally. This custom also granted the new monarch official international recognition within east Asia. The Chinese delegation included about 500 people, including a Sapposhi (ambassador) and a representative, both appointed by senior officials of the emperor. The envoys departed from Beijing and proceeded by land to Fuzhou in Fujian Province, where they sailed to the Ryukyu Islands, sometimes via Kumejima, on Ukanshin ("Crown Ships"). Among the first tasks of the Chinese delegation was a Yusa (religious ceremony) in memory of the late king. Words of condolence from the emperor were spoken in Sōgen-ji in Naha, and (after 1799) envoys were then received in Shikina-en. Then the investiture ceremony took place in the Una, where two platforms were erected between the Nanden and Seiden, called Kettei, reserved for the envoys, and Sendokudai. The imperial official recited the formula for the appointment of the new king and bowed deeply. Later, inside the castle, there was a "Feast of Investiture," followed by a "Mid-autumn Banquet", accompanied by songs and dances. This banquet was held on a temporary platform opposite the Hokuden, a platform on which the Imperial envoys stood. On the shore of Ryutan and in the castle, the "Choyo Banquet", during which a boat race and musical performances took place, was also held in the presence of the delegation. Two successive farewell banquets were then held opposite Hokuden, and finally a banquet at Tenshikan, where the king gave the Chinese delegation gold presents as an august sign for their return. Gallery See also List of Important Cultural Properties of Japan (Okinawa: structures) List of Historic Sites of Japan (Okinawa) List of Places of Scenic Beauty of Japan (Okinawa) Conservation Techniques for Cultural Properties Tourism in Japan References Further reading Benesch, Oleg and Ran Zwigenberg (2019). Japan's Castles: Citadels of Modernity in War and Peace. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 374. ISBN 9781108481946. De Lange, William (2021). An Encyclopedia of Japanese Castles. Groningen: Toyo Press. pp. 600 pages. ISBN 978-9492722300. Oleg Benesch, Ran Zwigenberg, Shuri Castle and Japanese Castles: A Controversial Heritage, The Asia-Pacific Journal. Japan Focus 17, 24, 3 (Decembre 2019, 15) Motoo, Hinago (1986). Japanese Castles. Tokyo: Kodansha. ISBN 0-87011-766-1. External links Shuri Castle Park 首里城公園 空からみた首里城 (Shuri Castle Park as seen from the sky) YouTube Okinawa Prefectural Government | Shurijo Prefecture of Okinawa | Shuri-jo Comprehensive Database of Archaeological Site Reports in Japan, Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties Japanese 4828423125 Shuri Castle on OpenStreetMap