contributor
26,978
edits
Changes
From SamuraiWiki
Jump to navigationJump to search→Gates
[[Image:Zuisenmon.jpg|right|thumb|Zuisenmon (瑞泉門)|250px]]
[[Image:Zuisenmon.jpg|right|thumb|Zuisenmon (瑞泉門)|250px]]
[[Image:Rokokumon.jpg|right|thumb|Rôkokumon (漏刻門)|250px]]
[[Image:Rokokumon.jpg|right|thumb|Rôkokumon (漏刻門)|250px]]
Some distance to the west, before even the Shureimon, the outermost gate of the castle was known as Chûzanmon. Built in the style of a Chinese ''paifang'' gate in [[1428]], it was originally known as Kenkokumon ("Establishment of the Country Gate"). It was the same size and same style as the Shureimon, and had its roof switched from wooden planks to ceramic tiles in 1681. The name "Chûzanmon" derives from a plaque hung on the gate, reading "Chûzan," gifted to the kingdom by [[Chai Shan]]<!--柴山-->, a [[Ming Dynasty]] official who came to Ryûkyû in [[1425]] for the [[Chinese investiture envoys|investiture]] of King [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]]. Following the abolition of the kingdom, the gate was allowed to simply fall into decay, and in [[1908]] it was torn down and has not been re-erected. Marking the entrance to Shuri's Aijo-ufumichi (Aijo Boulevard), the Chûzanmon was previously also known as ''shimu nu aijo'' (J: ''shita no ayamon'') and ''shimun tui'' (J: ''shita no [[torii]]''). A ''[[bingata]]'' [[Ryukyuan textiles|textiles]] workshop and shop stands today at the former site of the gate.<ref>Plaque at the former site of the Chûzanmon.</ref>
Beyond the symbolic Shureimon, the main gate granting entry through the outer walls of the compound is the Kankaimon, flanked by two stone ''[[shisa]]'' (lion dogs). Like most of the gates in the walls of Shuri Castle, the Kankaimon consists of a gap in the stone wall, with a wooden structure atop it, with a flared tiled roof. "Kankaimon" can be translated as "Gate of Welcome," a name given to it to better convey a spirit of welcome for visiting envoys of the Chinese Emperor. It was built originally sometime around 1477-1500<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kankaimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.
Beyond the symbolic Shureimon, the main gate granting entry through the outer walls of the compound is the Kankaimon, flanked by two stone ''[[shisa]]'' (lion dogs). Like most of the gates in the walls of Shuri Castle, the Kankaimon consists of a gap in the stone wall, with a wooden structure atop it, with a flared tiled roof. "Kankaimon" can be translated as "Gate of Welcome," a name given to it to better convey a spirit of welcome for visiting envoys of the Chinese Emperor. It was built originally sometime around 1477-1500<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kankaimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.
