Changes

==Site==

==Site==

The castle ruins lie behind the modern city of [[Urasoe]], on the northern edge of [[Naha]], today the capital of [[Okinawa Prefecture]]. It sits roughly 130-140 meters above sea level, and consists of two sections, arranged for the most part along a northwest-southeast axis. The ''Kogusuku'' (old castle) and ''Migusuku'' together cover an area roughly 380m long by 60-70m wide, the ''kogusuku'' being on a slightly higher rise to the east of the ''migusuku''. A series of interconnected enclosures cross the site from east-west.

The castle ruins lie behind the modern city of [[Urasoe]], on the northern edge of [[Naha]], today the capital of [[Okinawa Prefecture]]. It sits roughly 130-140 meters above sea level, and consists of two sections, arranged for the most part along a northwest-southeast axis. The ''Kogusuku'' (old castle) and ''Migusuku'' together cover an area roughly 380m long by 60-70m wide, the ''kogusuku'' being on a slightly higher rise to the east of the ''migusuku''. A series of interconnected enclosures cross the site from east-west.

As much of the site has been extensively damaged, both historically and more recently, the overall size, layout and structure of the castle is difficult to ascertain, along with many other aspects of its history and use.

As much of the site has been extensively damaged, both historically and more recently, the overall size, layout and structure of the castle is difficult to ascertain, along with many other aspects of its history and use.

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-early 14th centuries. Over the next century or so, 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.

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/>

Significant portions of the castle were taken away in the early 16th century to aid in the construction of Shuri Castle. The castle remained in use, however, and Shô Iko, the son of King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]], took up residence there 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 Ryufuku-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.

==Notes==

==Notes==