Changes

==History==

==History==

It is not clear when the castle was built. Most sources place its construction during the reign of [[Satto]], king of [[Chuzan|Chûzan]] (r. c. 1355-1395), some as early as [[1237]].<ref>Kerr. p50.</ref> Official histories produced by the kingdom in the 18th-19th centuries, such as the ''[[Kyuyo|Kyûyô]]'', ''[[Chuzan seikan|Chûzan seikan]]'', and ''[[Ryukyu-koku yuraiki|Ryûkyû-koku yuraiki]]'', indicate that a tall tower several ''jô'' high, called Takayosôri 高世層裡, was constructed during Satto's reign, to the south of the Shicha-nu-unaa, and faced north. This location corresponds to what would later become the Kyô-no-uchi, the most sacred space within the Shuri ''gusuku'' grounds.<ref>Uezato Takashi 上里隆史, “Ko-Ryūkyū ki ni okeru Shurijō no yōsō to hensen” 「古琉球における首里城の様相と返遷」, in ''Shurijō o toku'' 首里城を解く, eds. Takara Kurayoshi 高良倉吉 and Shimamura Kōichi 島村幸一, Tokyo: Bensei shuppan (2021), 64.</ref> There has been some debate as to the existence of this tower as a separate structure, or whether documentary mentions of this "Takayosôri" in fact refer to the Main Hall of Shuri castle as we know it today, albeit in an earlier incarnation. Historians Takara Kurayoshi and Uezato Takashi have suggested that it is rather unlikely that a tower that tall would have been built with the technology of the time, and that certain other sources (such as the diaries of Korean castaways) make no mention of such a structure, but only of those with which we would be more familiar, organized around the ''Unaa'', the central plaza of the ''gusuku''/palace complex as we know it today. Still, excavations in the Kyô-no-uchi have uncovered foundation stones and the remains of grey, 14th-15th century Japanese-style roof tiles, suggesting that some structure of note did once exist on that location.<ref>Uezato, 64-65.</ref>

It is not clear when the castle was built. Most sources place its construction during the reign of [[Satto]], king of [[Chuzan|Chûzan]] (r. c. 1355-1395), some as early as [[1237]].<ref>Kerr. p50.</ref> Official histories produced by the kingdom in the 18th-19th centuries, such as the ''[[Kyuyo|Kyûyô]]'', ''[[Chuzan seikan|Chûzan seikan]]'', and ''[[Ryukyu-koku yuraiki|Ryûkyû-koku yuraiki]]'', indicate that a tall tower several ''jô'' high, called Takayosôri 高世層裡, was constructed during Satto's reign, to the south of the Shicha-nu-unaa, and faced north. This location corresponds to what would later become the Kyô-no-uchi, the most sacred space within the Shuri ''gusuku'' grounds.<ref>Uezato Takashi 上里隆史, “Ko-Ryūkyū ki ni okeru Shurijō no yōsō to hensen” 「古琉球における首里城の様相と返遷」, in ''Shurijō o toku'' 首里城を解く, eds. Takara Kurayoshi 高良倉吉 and Shimamura Kōichi 島村幸一, Tokyo: Bensei shuppan (2021), 64.</ref> There has been some debate as to the existence of this tower as a separate structure, or whether documentary mentions of this "Takayosôri" in fact refer to the Main Hall of Shuri castle as we know it today, albeit in an earlier incarnation. Historians Takara Kurayoshi and Uezato Takashi have suggested that it is rather unlikely that a tower that tall would have been built with the technology of the time, and that certain other sources (such as the diaries of Korean castaways) make no mention of such a structure, but only of those with which we would be more familiar, organized around the ''Unaa'', the central plaza of the ''gusuku''/palace complex as we know it today. Still, excavations in the Kyô-no-uchi have uncovered foundation stones and the remains of grey, 14th-15th century Japanese-style roof tiles, suggesting that some structure of note did once exist on that location.<ref>Uezato, 64-65.</ref> Excavations on the side of the Main Hall have also revealed remains of a tiled-roof structure from that time, leading scholars such as Uezato to conclude that even prior to Shuri becoming the royal palace, it functioned as a ''gusuku''.<ref>Uezato, 65-67.</ref>

Though the timing of the shift of the royal capital from [[Urasoe]] to Shuri remains somewhat unclear, architectural historian Matayoshi Shinzô notes that the [[1372]] Ming embassy seems to have been sent to Shuri (not Urasoe), and that the [[36 Min families]] who founded [[Kumemura]] in 1392 did so in Kume/Naha, and not at [[Makiminato]] near Urasoe, suggesting that Shuri was already the political center by that time.<ref>Matayoshi Shinzô 又吉真三, "Shurijô ha Ryûkyû kenchiku bunka no shûtaisei" 「首里城は琉球建築文化の集大成’, ''Shurijô fukugen charity tokubetsu kôen'' 首里城復元チャリティ特別公演 (Naha: Kudaka Shôkichi geinô kikaku 久高将吉芸能企画, 1987), 104-105.</ref>

Though the timing of the shift of the royal capital from [[Urasoe]] to Shuri remains somewhat unclear, with some scholars suggesting the possibility of a considerable period of dual capitals,<ref>Uezato, 67-68.</ref> architectural historian Matayoshi Shinzô notes that the [[1372]] Ming embassy seems to have been sent to Shuri (not Urasoe), and that the [[36 Min families]] who founded [[Kumemura]] in 1392 did so in Kume/Naha, and not at [[Makiminato]] near Urasoe, suggesting that Shuri was already the political center by that time.<ref>Matayoshi Shinzô 又吉真三, "Shurijô ha Ryûkyû kenchiku bunka no shûtaisei" 「首里城は琉球建築文化の集大成’, ''Shurijô fukugen charity tokubetsu kôen'' 首里城復元チャリティ特別公演 (Naha: Kudaka Shôkichi geinô kikaku 久高将吉芸能企画, 1987), 104-105.</ref>

In any case, Shuri was definitively the primary royal palace by [[1427]], during the reign of [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]] (r. 1422-1439), first king of the united Kingdom of Ryûkyû. That the castle was extant at that time is confirmed by the inscription on the [[Ankoku-zan jukaboku stele]], the oldest example of Okinawan writing surviving today, erected there in 1427.<ref>Matayoshi, 105.; "[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-40170-storytopic-121.html Ankokuzan jukaboku no kihi]," Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.</ref> The stele also relates that [[Kaiki]] (Huái Jī), a prominent Chinese-born official in service to [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]], oversaw the landscaping of the castle grounds in accordance with ''[[feng shui]]'' / geomantic beliefs and traditions. After traveling to China in [[1417]] and coming back to Ryûkyû, Kaiki directed the construction of the [[Ryutan|Ryûtan]] pond below the castle, the planting of flowering trees around the pond, and the construction of an artificial hill to the west of the castle.<ref name=maritime93>Gregory Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', University of Hawaii Press (2019), 93-94.</ref>

In any case, Shuri was definitively the primary royal palace by [[1427]], during the reign of [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]] (r. 1422-1439), first king of the united Kingdom of Ryûkyû. That the castle was extant at that time is confirmed by the inscription on the [[Ankoku-zan jukaboku stele]], the oldest example of Okinawan writing surviving today, erected there in 1427.<ref>Matayoshi, 105.; "[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-40170-storytopic-121.html Ankokuzan jukaboku no kihi]," Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.</ref> The stele also relates that [[Kaiki]] (Huái Jī), a prominent Chinese-born official in service to [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]], oversaw the landscaping of the castle grounds in accordance with ''[[feng shui]]'' / geomantic beliefs and traditions. After traveling to China in [[1417]] and coming back to Ryûkyû, Kaiki directed the construction of the [[Ryutan|Ryûtan]] pond below the castle, the planting of flowering trees around the pond, and the construction of an artificial hill to the west of the castle.<ref name=maritime93>Gregory Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', University of Hawaii Press (2019), 93-94.</ref>

Succession disputes which broke out following the death of King [[Sho Kinpuku|Shô Kinpuku]] in [[1453]] led to the destruction of the palace buildings at that time, and the loss of many artifacts including silver seals granted the kings of Ryûkyû by the Hongwu Emperor as signs of authority<ref>Kerr. p97.</ref>. The castle was rebuilt shortly afterward.

Succession disputes which broke out following the death of King [[Sho Kinpuku|Shô Kinpuku]] in [[1453]] led to the destruction of the palace buildings at that time, and the loss of many artifacts including silver seals granted the kings of Ryûkyû by the Hongwu Emperor as signs of authority<ref>Kerr. p97.</ref>. The castle was rebuilt shortly afterward.

Little is known about the appearance of the castle in this early period. However, the accounts of Korean castaway Ryang Seong give some sense of it. According to Ryang, the castle resembled those in Korea, with high, winding walls and numerous buildings within the grounds. Shuri in particular incorporated three sets of walls; stables and a storehouse were located within the outermost wall, barracks for about 200 soldiers were located within the second enclosure, and a three-story building stood at the center of the innermost enclosure. This three-story structure was the seat of government and the residence of the king on certain lucky days of the calendar; it contained stores for food and wine in the bottom floor and for royal treasures on the top floor. The roof was of planks or slats, not ceramic tiles. The king, who otherwise resided in a two-story building nearby, possibly attached to the three-story structure, was regularly attended by around one hundred male servants and another one hundred female attendants, many or all of whom were armed with swords and served as the king's guard.<ref name=maritime93/>

Little is known about the appearance of the castle in this early period. However, the accounts of Korean castaway [[Ryang Seong]] give some sense of it. According to Ryang, the castle resembled those in Korea, with high, winding walls and numerous buildings within the grounds. Shuri in particular incorporated three sets of walls; stables and a storehouse were located within the outermost wall, barracks for about 200 soldiers were located within the second enclosure, and a three-story building stood at the center of the innermost enclosure. This three-story structure was the seat of government and the residence of the king on certain lucky days of the calendar; it contained stores for food and wine in the bottom floor and for royal treasures on the top floor. The roof was of planks or slats, not ceramic tiles. The king, who otherwise resided in a two-story building nearby, possibly attached to the three-story structure, was regularly attended by around one hundred male servants and another one hundred female attendants, many or all of whom were armed with swords and served as the king's guard.<ref name=maritime93/>

Archaeological excavations have revealed that an area in the western portion of the castle grounds, known as the Iri no Azana, was home to metalworking facilities. The remains or at least indications of the former presence of a furnace, trenches, crucibles, and molds have been found; it is believed that large temple bells, among other items, were produced here, within the castle grounds.<ref name=maritime93/>

Archaeological excavations have revealed that an area in the western portion of the castle grounds, known as the Iri no Azana, was home to metalworking facilities. The remains or at least indications of the former presence of a furnace, trenches, crucibles, and molds have been found; it is believed that large temple bells, among other items, were produced here, within the castle grounds.<ref name=maritime93/>

The Kôfukumon, a large, vermillion wooden structure leads finally into the ''shicha-nu-unaa'' (下之御庭), an area equivalent to what would be called the second bailey in English or ''ni-no-maru'' in a Japanese castle. The offices of the ''jishaza'' (寺社座), which oversaw Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, and the ''ôkumiza'' (大与座) which mediated disputes between aristocrats, were housed here<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kôfukumon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

The Kôfukumon, a large, vermillion wooden structure leads finally into the ''shicha-nu-unaa'' (下之御庭), an area equivalent to what would be called the second bailey in English or ''ni-no-maru'' in a Japanese castle. The offices of the ''jishaza'' (寺社座), which oversaw Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, and the ''ôkumiza'' (大与座) which mediated disputes between aristocrats, were housed here<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kôfukumon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

The ''shicha-nu-unaa'' contains the "Shuri forest ''[[utaki]]''", or [[Suimui utaki]], a sacred grove surrounded by its own low stone walls, which features in myths about the origins of the kingdom, and appears numerous times in the ''[[Omoro Soshi|Omoro Sôshi]]'', a collection of Okinawan myths in the form of songs or poems. Another important sacred site related to the origins of the castle and the kingdom, the ''kyô-no-uchi'' (京之内), is located along the southern wall of the ''shicha-nu-unaa'' and contains a number of ''utaki'' within it, including one known as Madanmui utaki 真玉森御嶽.<ref>Also known as Madanmui gusuku and Kunda gusuku. Amidst the shift from the First to the Second Shô Dynasty following the death of King [[Sho Toku|Shô Toku]] in [[1469]], Toku's queen and heir, along with the heir's wet nurse, were slaughtered at Madanmui by forces loyal to the new king [[Sho En|Shô En]], and buried there. Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', 122-124.</ref> The high priestess (''[[kikoe-ogimi|kikoe-ôgimi]]'') regularly performed rituals at sites within the Kyô-no-uchi to pray for the prosperity of the kingdom, safety for important sea voyages, good harvests and the like on behalf of the king and kingdom.<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kyô no uchi." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref> ''Noro'' (priestesses) traditionally made their way around these various sacred sites within the castle compound on four occasions each year. The ''kyô no uchi'' was traditionally forbidden to men as its sacred power was considered too strong for them; once the area was restored in the 2010s, however, it was opened to all visitors.<ref>"Hôdô shashin shû Shurijô" 報道写真集・首里城, Okinawa Times (2019), 37.</ref>

The ''shicha-nu-unaa'' contains the "Shuri forest ''[[utaki]]''", or [[Suimui utaki]], a sacred grove surrounded by its own low stone walls, which features in myths about the origins of the kingdom, and appears numerous times in the ''[[Omoro Soshi|Omoro Sôshi]]'', a collection of Okinawan myths in the form of songs or poems. Another important sacred site related to the origins of the castle and the kingdom, the ''kyô-no-uchi'' (京之内), is located along the southern wall of the ''shicha-nu-unaa'' and contains a number of ''utaki'' within it, including one known as Madanmui utaki 真玉森御嶽.<ref>Also known as Madanmui gusuku and Kunda gusuku. Amidst the shift from the First to the Second Shô Dynasty following the death of King [[Sho Toku|Shô Toku]] in [[1469]], Toku's queen and heir, along with the heir's wet nurse, were slaughtered at Madanmui by forces loyal to the new king [[Sho En|Shô En]], and buried there. Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', 122-124.</ref> The high priestess (''[[kikoe-ogimi|kikoe-ôgimi]]'') regularly performed rituals at sites within the Kyô-no-uchi to pray for the prosperity of the kingdom, safety for important sea voyages, good harvests and the like on behalf of the king and kingdom.<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kyô no uchi." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref> ''Noro'' (priestesses) traditionally made their way around these various sacred sites within the castle compound on four occasions each year. Like other areas of the palace grounds, the Kyô-no-uchi saw many changes over the centuries, with stone walls or other manmade elements altered or rebuilt; when restored in the 2010s, four worship spots were clearly delineated with stone walls and altars, and efforts were made to restore the space to how it may have appeared in the early 18th century.<ref>Plaques on-site.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/32341123697/sizes/3k/]</ref> The ''kyô no uchi'' was traditionally forbidden to men as its sacred power was considered too strong for them; once the area was restored in the 2010s, however, it was opened to all visitors.<ref>"Hôdô shashin shû Shurijô" 報道写真集・首里城, Okinawa Times (2019), 37.</ref>

The ''[[keizuza]]'' (系図座) and ''yômotsuza'' (用物座) were also located in the ''shicha-nu-unaa''. While the ''keizuza'' was the chief office overseeing the compilation of aristocratic genealogies and official kingdom histories, the ''yômotsuza'' managed supplies for the castle as well as goods prepared for presentation to the Ming or Qing imperial courts, Satsuma domain, and the Tokugawa shogunate.<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Keizusa / Yômotsuza." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.; Explanatory plaques, Shurijô Castle Park.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/15253505669/in/photostream/]</ref>.

The ''[[keizuza]]'' (系図座) and ''yômotsuza'' (用物座) were also located in the ''shicha-nu-unaa''. While the ''keizuza'' was the chief office overseeing the compilation of aristocratic genealogies and official kingdom histories, the ''yômotsuza'' managed supplies for the castle as well as goods prepared for presentation to the Ming or Qing imperial courts, Satsuma domain, and the Tokugawa shogunate.<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Keizusa / Yômotsuza." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.; Explanatory plaques, Shurijô Castle Park.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/15253505669/in/photostream/]</ref>.