Changes

*''Location: [[Urasoe]], [[Okinawa]]''

*''Location: [[Urasoe]], [[Okinawa]]''

*''Built: late 13th to early 14th c.''

*''Built: late 13th to early 14th c.''

Urasoe castle was an [[Okinawa]]n castle, or ''[[gusuku]]'', which served as the capital of the medieval Okinawan principality of [[Chuzan|Chûzan]] prior to the unification of the island into the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]], and the moving of the capital to [[Shuri castle|Shuri]].

Urasoe castle was an [[Okinawa]]n castle, or ''[[gusuku]]'', which served as the capital of the medieval Okinawan principality of [[Chuzan|Chûzan]] prior to the unification of the island into the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]], and the moving of the capital to [[Shuri castle|Shuri]].

In the fourteenth century, Urasoe was the largest castle on the island, but today only ruins remain.

In the fourteenth century, Urasoe was the largest castle on the island, but today little remains.

==Site==

==Site==

A series of four separate ramparts and palisades defended the lower portion of the castle, along with a moat that has been dated to the late 14th-early 15th century. The upper portion of the castle, like many other ''gusuku'', was situated in such a way that it was sufficiently defended by sheer cliffs and the sea and likely lacked significant defensive walls or ramparts.

A series of four separate ramparts and palisades defended the lower portion of the castle, along with a moat that has been dated to the late 14th-early 15th century. The upper portion of the castle, like many other ''gusuku'', was situated in such a way that it was sufficiently defended by sheer cliffs and the sea and likely lacked significant defensive walls or ramparts.

The oldest [[Buddhist temples]] in Okinawa, the [[Ryufuku-ji]] and [[Gokuraku-ji]], are nearby, along with the royal mausolea of several kings of Chûzan, dug directly into the cliffside.

The former sites of the two oldest [[Buddhist temples]] in Okinawa, the [[Ryufuku-ji|Ryûfuku-ji]] and [[Gokuraku-ji]], are nearby, along with [[Urasoe yodore|Urasoe yôdore]], the royal mausolea of several kings of Chûzan, dug directly into the cliffside.

King [[Eiso]] (r. 1260-1299) ruled from Urasoe, and is entombed near the northwest cliff of the castle. His mausoleum contains three stone coffins from China, possibly from [[Fujian]]; it is believed that Eiso is buried in the largest one, his father and grandfather in the other two. The coffins are decorated with birds, flowers, deer, ''[[shishi]]'' (lion-dogs), and various Buddhist images, along with dragons and phoenixes on the lids, which are designed to look like tiled roofs. Though Eiso lived in the 13th century, however, based on the style of designs and decorations on the coffins, archaeologists believe these to be of later, 15th century, construction. King [[Sho Nei|Shô Nei]] (r. 1597-1620), is also entombed here.

King [[Eiso]] (r. 1260-1299) ruled from Urasoe, and is entombed at Urasoe yôdore, near the northwest cliff of the castle. His mausoleum contains three stone coffins from China, possibly from [[Fujian]]; it is believed that Eiso is buried in the largest one, his father and grandfather in the other two. The coffins are decorated with birds, flowers, deer, ''[[shishi]]'' (lion-dogs), and various Buddhist images, along with dragons and phoenixes on the lids, which are designed to look like tiled roofs. Though Eiso lived in the 13th century, however, based on the style of designs and decorations on the coffins, archaeologists believe these to be of later, 15th century, construction. King [[Sho Nei|Shô Nei]] (r. 1597-1620), is also entombed here.

Excavations in the last decades of the 20th century uncovered a ceremonial path leading from the castle to the tombs, along with the remains of an artificial lake, a tunnel entrance to the castle, and a series of residences believed to have belonged to a noble family. Over 30,000 artifacts were recovered from these excavations.

Excavations in the last decades of the 20th century uncovered a ceremonial path leading from the castle to the tombs, along with the remains of an artificial lake, a tunnel entrance to the castle, and a series of residences believed to have belonged to a noble family. Over 30,000 artifacts were recovered from these excavations.

As royal capital, Urasoe represents the first instance of a major shift in the construction of elite structures, and castles (''gusuku'') in particular, in Okinawa. It is believed to have been grander in scale and complexity than sites which came before. Most of what is known about the castle's history comes from archaeological excavations, and not from narrative historical documentation.

As royal capital, Urasoe represents the first instance of a major shift in the construction of elite structures, and castles (''gusuku'') in particular, in Okinawa. It is believed to have been grander in scale and complexity than sites which came before. Most of what is known about the castle's history comes from archaeological excavations, and not from narrative historical documentation.

Low stone walls and post-holes indicate the original form of the castle, constructed in the late 13th century, possibly by King Eiso, who was born at [[Iso gusuku]], and who is also credited with the construction of the royal tombs at [[Urasoe yodore|Urasoe yôdore]] and the temple of [[Gokuraku-ji]]. During the reign of King [[Satto]] a century later, the castle was expanded, and came to encompass what is today labeled the ''kogusuku''. Korean roof tiles were used in the expansions and construction at this time.<ref name=kitahara/>

Low stone walls and post-holes indicate the original form of the castle, constructed in the late 13th century, possibly by King Eiso, who was born at [[Iso gusuku]], and who is also credited with the construction of the royal tombs at Urasoe yôdore and the temple of Gokuraku-ji. During the reign of King [[Satto]] a century later, the castle was expanded, and came to encompass what is today labeled the ''kogusuku''. Korean roof tiles were used in the expansions and construction at this time.<ref name=kitahara/>

King [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]], who united Okinawa, founded the Kingdom of Ryûkyû, and moved the capital to Shuri in the 1420s, left Urasoe castle to ruin.<ref name=kitahara/> Significant portions of the castle were taken away to aid in the construction of Shuri castle. Shô Iko, the son of King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]], took up residence there, however, in 1509. Finding it largely in ruins, he oversaw its refurbishment, and it is believed he moved the residential section of the castle from the ''kogusuku'' to the ''migusuku'' at this time.

King [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]], who united Okinawa, founded the Kingdom of Ryûkyû, and moved the capital to Shuri in the 1420s, left Urasoe castle to ruin.<ref name=kitahara/> Significant portions of the castle were taken away to aid in the construction of Shuri castle. Shô Iko, the son of King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]], took up residence there, however, in 1509. Finding it largely in ruins, he oversaw its refurbishment, and it is believed he moved the residential section of the castle from the ''kogusuku'' to the ''migusuku'' at this time.

The castle was burned and destroyed in the [[1609]] [[invasion of Ryukyu]] by [[Satsuma han|Satsuma]], along with the Ryufuku-ji temple which sat below it on the hillside.

The castle was burned and destroyed in the [[1609]] [[invasion of Ryukyu]] by [[Satsuma han|Satsuma]], along with the Ryûfuku-ji temple which sat below it on the hillside.

Many scholars have traditionally seen the establishment of Shuri as royal capital as bringing with it great changes and developments in the representation of the monarchy. However, some scholars today believe that "the form for the royal capital at Shuri, which included a central palace (''seiden''), a plaza for gathering allied elites and subjects, a ritual area, a large external pond, and attached Buddhist temples, was already complete at Urasoe"<ref>Asato, S. (1997). ''Shurijo izen no ogusuku, Urasoe gusuku no chosa'' (Investigation of Urasoe Castle, the royal castle before Shuri). ''Nihon Rekishi'' 585: 116-113. Quoted in Pearson (2001), p271.</ref>. Archaeologists point out in particular the wealth, power, and aesthetic grandure indicated by elements of the site's structures. Roof tiles and other items, mostly ceramics, were imported from Korea, and stone coffins carved in the Chinese style, likely in Fujian, were also imported, indicate the tiny kingdom's extensive trade and diplomatic connections; items from Korea, in particular, are known to have been quite rare and expensive in Okinawa for many centuries, and have been exacavated only in the most elite of sites. The Buddhist temples on the site indicate strong political and cultural connections to Japan, and the large pond or lake below the castle is a common symbol of elite power and prestige throughout East Asia.

Many scholars have traditionally seen the establishment of Shuri as royal capital as bringing with it great changes and developments in the representation of the monarchy. However, some scholars today believe that "the form for the royal capital at Shuri, which included a central palace (''seiden''), a plaza for gathering allied elites and subjects, a ritual area, a large external pond, and attached Buddhist temples, was already complete at Urasoe"<ref>Asato, S. (1997). ''Shurijo izen no ogusuku, Urasoe gusuku no chosa'' (Investigation of Urasoe Castle, the royal castle before Shuri). ''Nihon Rekishi'' 585: 116-113. Quoted in Pearson (2001), p271.</ref>. Archaeologists point out in particular the wealth, power, and aesthetic grandure indicated by elements of the site's structures. Roof tiles and other items, mostly ceramics, were imported from Korea, and stone coffins carved in the Chinese style, likely in Fujian, were also imported, indicate the tiny kingdom's extensive trade and diplomatic connections; items from Korea, in particular, are known to have been quite rare and expensive in Okinawa for many centuries, and have been exacavated only in the most elite of sites. The Buddhist temples on the site indicate strong political and cultural connections to Japan, and the large pond or lake below the castle is a common symbol of elite power and prestige throughout East Asia.

The grave of [[Iha Fuyu|Iha Fuyû]], the "father" of Okinawan Studies, is located nearby.<ref name=kitahara/>

The grave of [[Iha Fuyu|Iha Fuyû]], the "father" of Okinawan Studies, is located within the castle grounds.<ref name=kitahara/>

==Notes==

==Notes==

==References==

==References==

*[[Richard Pearson|Pearson, Richard]] (2001). "Archaeological Perspectives on the Rise of the Okinawan State." ''Journal of Archaeological Research'', Vol 9, No 3.

*[[Richard Pearson|Pearson, Richard]] (2001). "Archaeological Perspectives on the Rise of the Okinawan State." ''Journal of Archaeological Research'', Vol 9, No 3.

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Castles]]

[[Category:Castles]]