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[[Image:Shureimon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Shureimon (守礼門)]]

[[Image:Shureimon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Shureimon (守礼門)]]

[[Image:Sonohyan utaki ishimon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The stone gate to Sonohyan utaki (園比屋武御嶽石門)]]

[[Image:Sonohyan utaki ishimon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The stone gate to Sonohyan utaki (園比屋武御嶽石門)]]

The symbolic entrance to the castle proper was the Shureimon, originally constructed around [[1555]]<ref name=Turnbull44/>, which remains today one of the most famous symbols of Okinawa, and specifically of the kingdom and the castle. Architecturally patterned after a Chinese ''paifang'' gate, the Shureimon takes its name from the plaque installed upon it which declares Ryûkyû to be ''shurei no kuni'' (守禮之邦), often translated as "(a) Nation of Propriety." This plaque was originally only displayed when [[Chinese investiture envoys]] were visiting the kingdom, but during the reign of King [[Sho Shitsu|Shô Shitsu]] (r. [[1648]]-[[1668]]), the plaque came to be hung at the gate permanently. Historian [[Mark McNally]] has suggested that the plaque was especially seen as a reminder that the kingdom should strive to aspire to being a "kingdom of propriety."<ref>[[Mark McNally]], presentation at "[http://www.hawaii.edu/asiaref/japan/event2013/Index.htm#symposium Interpreting Parades and Processions of Edo Japan]" symposium, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 11 Feb 2013.</ref>

The symbolic entrance to the castle proper was the Shureimon, originally constructed around [[1555]]<ref name=Turnbull44/>, which remains today one of the most famous symbols of Okinawa, and specifically of the kingdom and the castle. Architecturally patterned after a Chinese ''paifang'' gate, the Shureimon takes its name from the plaque installed upon it which declares Ryûkyû to be ''shurei no kuni'' (守禮之邦), often translated as "(a) Nation of Propriety." This plaque was originally only displayed when Chinese investiture envoys were visiting the kingdom, but during the reign of King [[Sho Shitsu|Shô Shitsu]] (r. [[1648]]-[[1668]]), the plaque came to be hung at the gate permanently. Historian [[Mark McNally]] has suggested that the plaque was especially seen as a reminder that the kingdom should strive to aspire to being a "kingdom of propriety."<ref>[[Mark McNally]], presentation at "[http://www.hawaii.edu/asiaref/japan/event2013/Index.htm#symposium Interpreting Parades and Processions of Edo Japan]" symposium, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 11 Feb 2013.</ref>

Just within the gate can be found the stone gate to [[Sonohyan utaki]], a sacred space of the native Ryukyuan religion, where the king and others would often pray. The gate was constructed in [[1519]], upon the orders of King Shô Shin, by a stonemason from [[Taketomi Island]] named [[Nishito|Nishitô]].

Just within the gate can be found the stone gate to [[Sonohyan utaki]], a sacred space of the native Ryukyuan religion, where the king and others would often pray. The gate was constructed in [[1519]], upon the orders of King Shô Shin, by a stonemason from [[Taketomi Island]] named [[Nishito|Nishitô]].

[[Image:Zuisenmon.jpg|right|thumb|Zuisenmon (瑞泉門)|250px]]

[[Image:Zuisenmon.jpg|right|thumb|Zuisenmon (瑞泉門)|250px]]

[[Image:Rokokumon.jpg|right|thumb|Rôkokumon (漏刻門)|250px]]

[[Image:Rokokumon.jpg|right|thumb|Rôkokumon (漏刻門)|250px]]

Some distance to the west, before even the Shureimon, the outermost gate of the castle was known as Chûzanmon. Built in the style of a Chinese ''paifang'' gate in [[1428]], it was originally known as Kenkokumon ("Establishment of the Country Gate"). It was the same size and same style as the Shureimon, and had its roof switched from wooden planks to ceramic tiles in 1681. The name "Chûzanmon" derives from a plaque hung on the gate, reading "Chûzan," gifted to the kingdom by [[Chai Shan]]<!--柴山-->, a [[Ming Dynasty]] official who came to Ryûkyû in [[1425]] for the [[Chinese investiture envoys|investiture]] of King [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]]. Following the abolition of the kingdom, the gate was allowed to simply fall into decay, and in [[1908]] it was torn down and has not been re-erected. Marking the entrance to Shuri's Aijo-ufumichi (Aijo Boulevard), the Chûzanmon was previously also known as ''shimu nu aijo'' (J: ''shita no ayamon'') and ''shimun tui'' (J: ''shita no [[torii]]''). A ''[[bingata]]'' [[Ryukyuan textiles|textiles]] workshop and shop stands today at the former site of the gate.<ref>Plaque at the former site of the Chûzanmon.</ref>

Some distance to the west, before even the Shureimon, the outermost gate of the castle was known as Chûzanmon. Built in the style of a Chinese ''paifang'' gate in [[1428]], it was originally known as Kenkokumon ("Establishment of the Country Gate"). It was the same size and same style as the Shureimon, and had its roof switched from wooden planks to ceramic tiles in 1681. The name "Chûzanmon" derives from a plaque hung on the gate, reading "Chûzan," gifted to the kingdom by [[Chai Shan]]<!--柴山-->, a [[Ming Dynasty]] official who came to Ryûkyû in [[1425]] for the investiture of King [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]]. Following the abolition of the kingdom, the gate was allowed to simply fall into decay, and in [[1908]] it was torn down and has not been re-erected. Marking the entrance to Shuri's Aijo-ufumichi (Aijo Boulevard), the Chûzanmon was previously also known as ''shimu nu aijo'' (J: ''shita no ayamon'') and ''shimun tui'' (J: ''shita no [[torii]]''). A ''[[bingata]]'' [[Ryukyuan textiles|textiles]] workshop and shop stands today at the former site of the gate.<ref>Plaque at the former site of the Chûzanmon.</ref>

Beyond the symbolic Shureimon, the main gate granting entry through the outer walls of the compound is the Kankaimon, flanked by two stone ''[[shisa]]'' (lion dogs). Like most of the gates in the walls of Shuri Castle, the Kankaimon consists of a gap in the stone wall, with a wooden structure atop it, with a flared tiled roof. "Kankaimon" can be translated as "Gate of Welcome," a name given to it to better convey a spirit of welcome for visiting envoys of the Chinese Emperor. It was built originally sometime around 1477-1500<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kankaimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

Beyond the symbolic Shureimon, the main gate granting entry through the outer walls of the compound is the Kankaimon, flanked by two stone ''[[shisa]]'' (lion dogs). Like most of the gates in the walls of Shuri Castle, the Kankaimon consists of a gap in the stone wall, with a wooden structure atop it, with a flared tiled roof. "Kankaimon" can be translated as "Gate of Welcome," a name given to it to better convey a spirit of welcome for visiting envoys of the Chinese Emperor. It was built originally sometime around 1477-1500<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kankaimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

Upon entering the Kankaimon or Kyûkeimon (both built c. [[1477]]-[[1526]]),<ref name=ryufuan>''Earth Exhibit of Ryukyu Kingdom''. Ryûfûan Hawaii. 2010. p12.</ref> a visitor, official, or royal would next ascend a set of stairs flanked by seven stone tablets of investiture, representing prior kings and the authority of the Throne. Even the king himself would dismount here from his [[palanquin]] and bow before proceeding further into the complex.

Upon entering the Kankaimon or Kyûkeimon (both built c. [[1477]]-[[1526]]),<ref name=ryufuan>''Earth Exhibit of Ryukyu Kingdom''. Ryûfûan Hawaii. 2010. p12.</ref> a visitor, official, or royal would next ascend a set of stairs flanked by seven stone tablets of investiture, representing prior kings and the authority of the Throne. Even the king himself would dismount here from his [[palanquin]] and bow before proceeding further into the complex.

These stairs lead to the Zuisenmon, a red-painted wooden structure perched atop a gap in the stone wall. ''Zuisen'' means, essentially, "spring of beauty/purity/youth and good fortune." This gate was originally built in [[1470]].<ref name=ryufuan/>

These stairs lead to the Zuisenmon, a red-painted wooden structure perched atop a gap in the stone wall. ''Zuisen'' means, essentially, "spring of beauty/purity/youth and good fortune"; the gate is also known as Hikawa-ujô (樋川御門), meaning "spring spout gate." This gate was originally built in [[1470]],<ref name=ryufuan/> and its names refer to the Ryûhi (龍樋) spring. Emerging to one side of the stairs, the spring was one of the main sources of fresh water to the castle. "Ryûhi," which means "dragon pipe" or "dragon flume," refers both to the spring itself and to a stone dragon head, made in China in [[1523]], which remains extant today as the main spout from which the water emerges. Seven stelae standing near the spring, restored in 1996, preserve the praise of Chinese investiture envoys for the purity of the water. Where the Kankaimon and Kyûkeimon are composed of stone arches stretching across the opening, the Zuisenmon is formed of vertical stone on either side, crossed horizontally by a wooden guardhouse/turret structure, perhaps reflective of Japanese influence and resembling one traditional style of gatehouse from [[Sengoku period]] Japanese castles.<ref>Plaque near Ryûhi / Zuisenmon stairs.</ref>

The path into the castle is never straight, the gates often situated at right angles to one another, in theory slowing an invading army and leaving attackers quite open to fire from defenders, stationed in the wooden gate structures and armed with Chinese-style firearms or bows & arrows. [[Stephen Turnbull]] notes, however, that the gates, and castle walls in general, lacked loopholes or other defensive features for defenders to hide behind. All in all, when the castle was invaded by Satsuma samurai in 1609, it fell quite quickly.

The path into the castle is never straight, the gates often situated at right angles to one another, in theory slowing an invading army and leaving attackers quite open to fire from defenders, stationed in the wooden gate structures and armed with Chinese-style firearms or bows & arrows. [[Stephen Turnbull]] notes, however, that the gates, and castle walls in general, lacked loopholes or other defensive features for defenders to hide behind. All in all, when the castle was invaded by Satsuma samurai in 1609, it fell quite quickly.

The Hokuden (北殿), or "North Hall," also known as the ''giseiden'' (議政殿), faces the Nanden across the plaza, and is known as the ''Nishi-no-udun'' (北之御殿) in Okinawan. Built around 1506-1521, it is a structure more Chinese in style, which housed visiting Chinese officials and Chinese-style ceremonies and, as the site of the chief administrative offices of the royal government, was on an average day the busiest and most active building in the compound. Commodore Perry was also entertained and banqueted here on two occasions when he forced his way into the castle. Like the Nanden, the Hokuden today contains exhibition space devoted to material related to the castle, the royal family, and the kingdom's relationship with China<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Hokuden." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

The Hokuden (北殿), or "North Hall," also known as the ''giseiden'' (議政殿), faces the Nanden across the plaza, and is known as the ''Nishi-no-udun'' (北之御殿) in Okinawan. Built around 1506-1521, it is a structure more Chinese in style, which housed visiting Chinese officials and Chinese-style ceremonies and, as the site of the chief administrative offices of the royal government, was on an average day the busiest and most active building in the compound. Commodore Perry was also entertained and banqueted here on two occasions when he forced his way into the castle. Like the Nanden, the Hokuden today contains exhibition space devoted to material related to the castle, the royal family, and the kingdom's relationship with China<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Hokuden." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

A pair of buildings to the south of the Nanden, on the opposite side of that hall from the central plaza, served as administrative buildings and spaces for meeting with and entertaining [[Chinese investiture envoys]] and officials from Satsuma. The ''shoin'' or "study", and ''kusari-no-ma'', as they would have been called in Japanese, were also used by the royal princes as secondary studies, and for other everyday purposes<ref>"Shisetsu annai: shoin / kusari no ma." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>. The ''shoin'' appears in the [[1713]] ''[[Ryukyu-koku yuraiki|Ryûkyû-koku yuraiki]]'', but it is unclear how much earlier before that it might have been built. Connected to the Nanden by internal corridors, it contained the ''sasu-no-ma'', the office of the royal scribe or clerk (''[[yuhitsu|yûhitsu]]''<!--右筆-->), who was responsible for producing formal court documents, including those sent to the Emperor of China or the Japanese shogun. The ''shoin'', which has today been reconstructed alongside the Nanden and other structures, also served sometimes as a waiting room or reception room for Chinese investiture envoys.<ref>Gallery labels, Okinawa Prefectural Museum, August 2013.</ref>

A pair of buildings to the south of the Nanden, on the opposite side of that hall from the central plaza, served as administrative buildings and spaces for meeting with and entertaining Chinese investiture envoys and officials from Satsuma. The ''shoin'' or "study", and ''kusari-no-ma'', as they would have been called in Japanese, were also used by the royal princes as secondary studies, and for other everyday purposes<ref>"Shisetsu annai: shoin / kusari no ma." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>. The ''shoin'' appears in the [[1713]] ''[[Ryukyu-koku yuraiki|Ryûkyû-koku yuraiki]]'', but it is unclear how much earlier before that it might have been built. Connected to the Nanden by internal corridors, it contained the ''sasu-no-ma'', the office of the royal scribe or clerk (''[[yuhitsu|yûhitsu]]''<!--右筆-->), who was responsible for producing formal court documents, including those sent to the Emperor of China or the Japanese shogun. The ''shoin'', which has today been reconstructed alongside the Nanden and other structures, also served sometimes as a waiting room or reception room for Chinese investiture envoys.<ref>Gallery labels, Okinawa Prefectural Museum, August 2013.</ref>

====Seiden====

====Seiden====