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A gate in the eastern side of the outer walls known as the Keiseimon (継世門), built in [[1543]] or [[1546]] in conjunction with an expansion of the castle walls,<ref name=shimposhurireki/> serves essentially as the rear gate to the compound, situated as it is on the opposite end of the compound from the main gates to the castle, the Shureimon and Kankaimon. Also known as the ''Akata gomon'' 赤田御門 and as the Suetsugi-ujô 継世門 in Okinawan, this gate at the rear of the complex was used by a crown prince when entering the castle after the death of his predecessor, in order to undertake his succession ceremony in the Yohokori-den 世誇殿. It was also by this gate that [[Sho Tai|Shô Tai]], the last king of Ryûkyû, departed the castle when abdicating the palace to the Japanese in [[1879]].<ref name=shuriqa/>

A gate in the eastern side of the outer walls known as the Keiseimon (継世門), built in [[1543]] or [[1546]] in conjunction with an expansion of the castle walls,<ref name=shimposhurireki/> serves essentially as the rear gate to the compound, situated as it is on the opposite end of the compound from the main gates to the castle, the Shureimon and Kankaimon. Also known as the ''Akata gomon'' 赤田御門 and as the Suetsugi-ujô 継世門 in Okinawan, this gate at the rear of the complex was used by a crown prince when entering the castle after the death of his predecessor, in order to undertake his succession ceremony in the Yohokori-den 世誇殿. It was also by this gate that [[Sho Tai|Shô Tai]], the last king of Ryûkyû, departed the castle when abdicating the palace to the Japanese in [[1879]].<ref name=shuriqa/>

A pair of stelae which stand at the Keiseimon are said to have been erected in 1544, and were intended to serve as spiritual or symbolic protection against ''[[wako|wakô]]''<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Keiseimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>. Two other outer gates, called the Uekimon (右掖門) and Shukujunmon (淑順門), situated to the north side of the complex, provided access to an inner garden, called the ''ouchibara'' (御内原) in Okinawan. Today, tourists following the designated route pass through the Uekimon on their way out of the castle at the end of their visit<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Uekimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

A pair of stelae which stand at the Keiseimon are said to have been erected in 1544, and were intended to serve as spiritual or symbolic protection against ''[[wako|wakô]]''<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Keiseimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>. Two other outer gates, called the Uekimon (右掖門) and Shukujunmon (淑順門), situated to the north side of the complex, provided access to an inner garden, called the ''ouchibara'' (御内原) in Okinawan. Today, tourists following the designated route pass through the Uekimon on their way out of the castle at the end of their visit<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Uekimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website. Originally built in the 15th century, the gatehouse was dismantled in the 1920s-30s; what remained of it was destroyed in 1945 but was then restored in 2000. Plaques on-site.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/15439985442/in/photostream/]</ref>.

Several buildings stood inside these outer gates. One, known in Japanese as ''zenikura'' 銭蔵, was a two-story storehouse where [[awamori]], oils, and other materials, as well as money for the court's everyday use, was stored. A stables for three to five horses stood nearby, along with an office for those overseeing these two buildings, and overseeing or guarding the castle throughout the day and night.<ref name=plaques>Plaques on-site.</ref>

Several buildings stood inside these outer gates. One, known in Japanese as ''zenikura'' 銭蔵, was a two-story storehouse where [[awamori]], oils, and other materials, as well as money for the court's everyday use, was stored. A stables for three to five horses stood nearby, along with an office for those overseeing these two buildings, and overseeing or guarding the castle throughout the day and night.<ref name=plaques>Plaques on-site.</ref>