Changes

A number of important economic and diplomatic institutions were located in the main port areas of Higashi and Nishi. The ''[[Oyamise]]'' (O: ''weemishi'') was the chief governmental trading center, and later came to serve as a kind of city hall or municipal affairs office as well. Markets were often held in the open space before the ''Oyamise'', which was quite close to the temples, and to the [[Tenshikan]], a mansion for visiting [[Chinese investiture envoys]] which is said to have rivaled [[Shuri Castle]] itself.

A number of important economic and diplomatic institutions were located in the main port areas of Higashi and Nishi. The ''[[Oyamise]]'' (O: ''weemishi'') was the chief governmental trading center, and later came to serve as a kind of city hall or municipal affairs office as well. Markets were often held in the open space before the ''Oyamise'', which was quite close to the temples, and to the [[Tenshikan]], a mansion for visiting [[Chinese investiture envoys]] which is said to have rivaled [[Shuri Castle]] itself.

The shoreline of Nishi-machi, running from Mii gushiki to Su-nu-sachi (in the Tsuji area), was historically a popular waterfront recreational area known as Nishi-nu-umi ("the beach of Nishi," or "the sea of Nishi"). After the fall of the kingdom, land reclamation efforts were undertaken to expand this area. Three new neighborhoods were created, called Nishi Shinmachi ("new town") 1, 2, and 3-chôme. These new areas became home to storage warehouses, theatres, guesthouses, and other institutions, including the Taisho Theater and the Shintenza, where a man named Tamagusuku Seigi formed the Sango-za theatre group.

The shoreline of Nishi-machi, running from Mii gushiki to Su-nu-sachi (in the Tsuji area), was historically a popular waterfront recreational area known as Nishi-nu-umi ("the beach of Nishi," or "the sea of Nishi"). After the fall of the kingdom, land reclamation efforts were undertaken to expand this area. Three new neighborhoods were created, called Nishi Shinmachi ("new town") 1, 2, and 3-chôme. These new areas became home to storage warehouses, theatres, guesthouses, and other institutions, including the Taisho Theater and the Shintenza, where a man named Tamagusuku Seigi formed the Sango-za theatre group.<ref>Plaques at former site of Nishi-nu-umi.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/22524395119/sizes/h/]</ref>

Wakasamachi, which according to oral tradition was founded by Japanese, lay to the north of Kumemura. Here were located temples to [[Ebisu]] and [[Jizo|Jizô]], established by Japanese monks, and the [[Naminoue Shrine]]. [[Zen]] monks from Japan also founded the temple [[Koganji|Kôganji]], which was the site of the chief Japanese cemetery in the city. Wakasamachi Ôdôri ran through the district from northeast to southwest, intersecting with Kume Ôdôri near the center of Ukishima, and connecting directly into the Chôkôtei on its eastern end. While Chinese envoys stayed in residences set aside for them in Higashi/Nishi, Wakasa was home to a residence set aside for those from the [[Tokara Islands]].

Wakasamachi, which according to oral tradition was founded by Japanese, lay to the north of Kumemura. Here were located temples to [[Ebisu]] and [[Jizo|Jizô]], established by Japanese monks, and the [[Naminoue Shrine]]. [[Zen]] monks from Japan also founded the temple [[Koganji|Kôganji]], which was the site of the chief Japanese cemetery in the city. Wakasamachi Ôdôri ran through the district from northeast to southwest, intersecting with Kume Ôdôri near the center of Ukishima, and connecting directly into the Chôkôtei on its eastern end. While Chinese envoys stayed in residences set aside for them in Higashi/Nishi, Wakasa was home to a residence set aside for those from the [[Tokara Islands]].