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| [[File:Mie-gusuku.jpg|right|thumb|320px|Mie gusuku, as it appears today]] | | [[File:Mie-gusuku.jpg|right|thumb|320px|Mie gusuku, as it appears today]] |
| + | *''Built: [[1554]]'' |
| *''Japanese/Okinawan'': 三重城 ''(Mie gusuku / Mii gusuku)'' | | *''Japanese/Okinawan'': 三重城 ''(Mie gusuku / Mii gusuku)'' |
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− | Mie gusuku was a small defensive fortress in [[Naha]], the main commercial harbor of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]]. It and [[Yarazamori gusuku]] were each located at the ends of earthen embankments sticking out into the harbor, and functioned chiefly to defend the harbor from [[wako|pirates]]. | + | Mie gusuku was a small defensive fortress in [[Naha]], the main commercial harbor of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]]. It and [[Yarazamori gusuku]] were each located at the ends of earthen embankments sticking out into the harbor, and functioned chiefly to defend the harbor from [[wako|pirates]]. Both were constructed during the reign of King [[Sho Sei (尚清)|Shô Sei]] using labor not only from [[Okinawa Island]] but from elsewhere in the kingdom as well.<ref>Gallery labels, National Museum of Japanese History (Rekihaku).[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/9649093535/sizes/l]</ref> |
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| In the late 16th century through the beginning of the 17th, a large chain was at times extended across the harbor, between the two fortresses, to block pirates or other ships from entering the harbor. | | In the late 16th century through the beginning of the 17th, a large chain was at times extended across the harbor, between the two fortresses, to block pirates or other ships from entering the harbor. |
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− | Mie gusuku was also a popular site for seeing off Ryukyuan ships departing the harbor. | + | Mie gusuku was also a popular site for seeing off Ryukyuan ships departing the harbor. It survived relatively intact well into the pre-war period, but suffered severe damage, as did much of the island, in 1944-1945.<ref>Uezato Takashi, "Ryûkyû no kaki ni tsuite," ''Okinawa bunka'' 36:91 (2000), 86.</ref> |
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| Though little remains of the fortress itself today, the rock outcropping on which it stood remains clearly visible and intact. A small worship site stands on the site today, along with a modern Japan Coast Guard watchtower. | | Though little remains of the fortress itself today, the rock outcropping on which it stood remains clearly visible and intact. A small worship site stands on the site today, along with a modern Japan Coast Guard watchtower. |
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
| *"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-43034-storytopic-121.html Mie gusuku]," ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003. | | *"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-43034-storytopic-121.html Mie gusuku]," ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003. |
| + | <references/> |
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| ==External Links== | | ==External Links== |