The History of Okinawa’s Shuri Castle

Shuri Castle was built on a plateau about 120 meters above sea level. It is the largest of Okinawa's castles. The castle compound has an elliptical shape and is some 350 meters east-west and 200 meters north-south. When, and by whom, the castle was first built here is still uncertain, but excavation work indicates that a precursor of Shuri Castle was in existence by the second half of the 14th century.

 

From the 13th to the 14th centuries, a number of local lords or chieftains called "Aji" arose to exercise control over portions of Okinawa. This was a tumultuous period and Aji rose and fell. Not one of them was able to wield enough power to unify the warring satrapies, and Shuri Castle was just one among a considerable number of castles.

 

So when did Shuri Castle enter history as the seat of a preeminent king? When did it become, as it is today, the symbol of Okinawa? Concerning this there are two explanations: the "Satto" theory and the "Sho Hashi" theory. One hypothesis holds that Satto, king of Chuzan at the time of the three kingdoms, built Shuri Castle as his palace. According to the other theory, Urasoe Castle was the base of Chuzan through the reigns of Satto and his son and successor, Bunei. Then Sho Hashi, the founder of the first Sho dynasty, established himself at Shuri Castle. Which account is correct is not yet clear.

 

The Satto hypothesis argues that King Satto built up Shuri Castle in 1392, toward the end of his life. In that year the erection of a high tower, called "Takayo Uriden," in the Madan Woods south of the castle's lower courtyard as a place to relax and enjoy the view is recorded in the "Records of the Origin of Ryukyu" and "The Ancient Annals of Ryukyu."

A major basis for the Satto explanation concerns the so-called "thirty-six families." These were families of learned men who came from China and settled in Okinawa. They took up residence in Kume Village, between Naha Port and Tomari Port, where they played a key role in the tribute trade. And this tribute-cum-trade system began during the reign of King Satto. Other supporting evidence for this theory includes the opening by King Satto of Gokoku Temple at Naminoue, his construction of the Banju Temple near Shuri and the fact that he caused likenesses of himself to be sculpted and enshrined there for the afterworld. Satto's son and successor, Bunei, built the Tenshikan in Naha during his reign as king of Chuzan to host the Chinese Sappo envoys. This, too, suggests that the king's seat had already been moved from Urasoe Castle to Shuri.

 

On the other hand, numerous sources establish that Sho Hashi spearheaded the first Sho Dynasty and unified the three kingdoms into one in the early 15th century from a base at Shuri Castle. This event is specifically estimated to have occurred in 1406. Thereafter, Ryukyu turned from military power to economic power and men with trading rights in the fine ports below the great castle came to the fore. According to the Sho Hashi explanation, the chief trading port was moved from Makiminato to Tomari in the time of King Eiso. It was then moved to Naha Port near Shuri after Sho Hashi shifted his base from Urasoe Castle to Shuri. There certainly can be no doubt that during the reign of King Sho Hashi, relations with China became ever more active and Naha Port, as the focal point of foreign trade, made a splendid contribution to the development of the economy and culture of Ryukyu. And likewise, it was Sho Hashi who planned and carried out the work that made Shuri Castle the splendid capital that it became, encircling the castle with stone works and putting up new buildings one after another.

 

Perhaps we can strike a balance and say that King Satto built up Shuri Castle and King Sho Hashi turned it into the castle among castles, in which position it remained as the palace where history was made for 500 years until the abolition of the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1879.

 

But why did this particular castle become the king's castle? Here we have to look at its physical setting. The castle is surrounded by natural defensive features. High ground stretches across the north side from Sueyoshi Mountain to Torazuyama (tiger head) Mountain and as far as the Benga Utaki. On the south side flows the Kanagusuku River and on the other side of this river lies the Shikina Escarpment. To the east is the Nagera River, forming a boundary with Haebaru, while the Makabi River encircles the west side. Thus set off from its surroundings, the castle's location is a natural fortress, perfectly suited as a royal palace. Moreover, the castle directly overlooks Naha with its fine harbor, a natural focus of sea borne trade, an additional plus for Ryukyu, a nation founded on trade.

This shrine is symbolic of the martial arts that derive their origin from Okinawa. To learn more about the Okinawa Shuri Castle visit www.wonder-okinawa.