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The Ôamushirare, or Ufuanshitari in [[Okinawan language|Uchinaaguchi]], were three high-ranking priestesses directly below the ''[[Kikoe-ogimi|Kikoe-ôgimi]]'', the top high priestess of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]]. Their residences in [[Shuri]] (''Sui''), Gibo (''Jiibu''), and Makabe (''Makan'') doubled as sacred sites, or shrines.

The Ôamushirare, or Ufuanshitari in [[Okinawan language|Uchinaaguchi]], were three high-ranking priestesses directly below the ''[[Kikoe-ogimi|Kikoe-ôgimi]]'', the top high priestess of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]]. Their residences in [[Shuri]] (''Sui''), Gibo (''Jiibu''), and Makabe (''Makan'') doubled as sacred sites, or shrines.

The positions were created during the reign of [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]], alongside the reorganization of much else regarding the position of ''kikoe-ôgimi'', the hierarchy of priestesses, and their powers and responsibilities. The three Ôamushirare were selected from among the women of the Shuri aristocracy, and accompanied and aided the ''kikoe-ôgimi'' in her travels, rituals, and prayers for the king's health and safety, for the kingdom's longevity, abundant harvests, and safe voyages. Each was also responsible for overseeing one-third of the kingdom's ''[[utaki]]'' (sacred sites) and ''[[noro]]'' (priestesses). The Shuri Ôamushirare oversaw the ''Ôamu'' priestess of [[Kumemura]], among other areas, while the Makabe priestess oversaw [[Naha]], Izumisaki, and Isobe, as well as ''Ôamu tsukasa'' (priestess officials?) of [[Miyako Islands|Miyako]] and [[Yaeyama Islands|Yaeyama]]. The Gibo Ôamushirare was responsible for twelve ''[[magiri]]'' and three islands, including the Nishi-nu-hira neighborhood of Shuri, the town of [[Tomari]], the ''magiri'' of [[Urasoe]] and [[Nishihara]], and the islands of [[Kerama]], [[Aguni]], and [[Tonaki]].

The positions were created during the reign of [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]], alongside the reorganization of much else regarding the position of ''kikoe-ôgimi'', the hierarchy of priestesses, and their powers and responsibilities. The three Ôamushirare were selected from among the women of the Shuri aristocracy, and accompanied and aided the ''kikoe-ôgimi'' in her travels, rituals, and prayers for the king's health and safety, for the kingdom's longevity, abundant harvests, and safe voyages. Each was also responsible for overseeing one-third of the kingdom's ''[[utaki]]'' (sacred sites) and ''[[noro]]'' (priestesses). The Shuri Ôamushirare oversaw the ''Ôamu'' priestess of [[Kumemura]], as well as the ''noro'' of [[Haebaru]], [[Sashiki]], and [[Ozato|Ôzato]], while the Makabe priestess oversaw the ''Ôamu'' of [[Naha]], Izumisaki, and Isobe, as well as ''Ôamu tsukasa'' (priestess officials?) of [[Miyako Islands|Miyako]] and [[Yaeyama Islands|Yaeyama]], and the ''noro'' of a number of areas including [[Kumejima]], Kushi, [[Nago]], [[Yomitanzan]], [[Chatan]], [[Mabuni]], [[Kyan]], Makabe, Takamine, [[Kochinda]], [[Kanegusuku]], [[Mawashi]], [[Tomigusuku]], and Oroku. The Gibo Ôamushirare was responsible for twelve ''[[magiri]]'' and three islands, including overseeing the ''Ôamu'' of [[Tomari]], and the ''noro'' of the Nishi-nu-hira neighborhood of Shuri, and the ''magiri'' of [[Urasoe]], [[Ginowan]], and [[Nishihara]], and the islands of [[Kerama]], [[Aguni]], and [[Tonaki]].

Following the [[Ryukyu shobun|fall of the kingdom]] in [[1879]], the three separate shrines of the Ôamushirare were relocated to a single site within the grounds of the Buddhist temple [[Tenkai-ji]], called Mitunchi ("three mansions"). The former location of ''Jiibu dunchi'', the residence & shrine of the Gibo priestess, was sold in the [[Taisho period|Taishô period]], becoming privately owned, and is today the site of a Lions Mansion apartment complex.

Following the [[Ryukyu shobun|fall of the kingdom]] in [[1879]], the three separate shrines of the Ôamushirare were relocated to a single site within the grounds of the Buddhist temple [[Tenkai-ji]], called Mitunchi ("three mansions"). The former location of ''Jiibu dunchi'', the residence & shrine of the Gibo priestess, was sold in the [[Taisho period|Taishô period]], becoming privately owned, and is today the site of a Lions Mansion apartment complex.

==References==

==References==

*Plaque at former site of Jiibu dunchi.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/9444384199/in/photostream/]

*Plaque at former site of Jiibu dunchi.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/9444384199/in/photostream/]

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Religious Figures]]

[[Category:Religious Figures]]

[[Category:Ranks and Titles]]

[[Category:Ranks and Titles]]