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Shuri castle was destroyed by fire at least five times in its history, most recently on Oct 31, 2019, in a conflagration started perhaps by an electrical fault, which ultimately consumed the main hall and six other buildings.

Shuri castle was destroyed by fire at least five times in its history, most recently on Oct 31, 2019, in a conflagration started perhaps by an electrical fault, which ultimately consumed the main hall and six other buildings.

Records from the time indicate that when the castle was rebuilt in [[1672]], following a [[1660]] fire, the roofs were tiled where they had been previously covered in wooden shingles, as a precautionary measure towards better fire-proofing. Archaeological excavations, however, have found both Korean and Japanese roof tiles dating to before this fire, indicating that at least some sections of the castle bore tiled roofs much earlier<ref name=shimpo>Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia.</ref>. The castle burned again and was rebuilt in [[1690]], [[1709]] (rebuilt [[1712]]), and [[1730]]. It was this 1730 iteration of the castle which stood until World War II. Considerable repair work was done in [[1837]], and again in [[1846]] and [[1851]] with several of the gates being given double- and then triple-doors,<ref>「二重扉」, 「三重扉」 Gallery labels, [[Tamaudun]].</ref> but the castle would not suffer destruction again until 1945.<ref name=loo>Loo, Tze M. “Shuri Castle’s Other History: Architecture and Empire in Okinawa.” The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus 41 (12 Oct 2009).</ref>

Records from the time indicate that when the castle was rebuilt in [[1672]], following a [[1660]] fire, the roofs were tiled where they had been previously covered in wooden shingles, as a precautionary measure towards better fire-proofing. [[Sho Shoken|Shô Shôken]] (Haneji Chôshu) directed the construction project at that time.<ref name=shimposhurireki>"Shurijô no rekishi," ''Ryukyu Shimpo'', 1 Nov 1992.</ref> Archaeological excavations, however, have found both Korean and Japanese roof tiles dating to before this fire, indicating that at least some sections of the castle bore tiled roofs much earlier<ref name=shimpo>Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia.</ref>. The castle burned again and was rebuilt in [[1690]], [[1709]] (rebuilt [[1712]]), and [[1730]]. It was this 1730 iteration of the castle which stood until World War II. Considerable repair work was done in [[1837]], and again in [[1846]] and [[1851]] with several of the gates being given double- and then triple-doors,<ref>「二重扉」, 「三重扉」 Gallery labels, [[Tamaudun]].</ref> but the castle would not suffer destruction again until 1945.<ref name=loo>Loo, Tze M. “Shuri Castle’s Other History: Architecture and Empire in Okinawa.” The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus 41 (12 Oct 2009).</ref>

The kingdom was abolished and replaced with [[Ryukyu han|Ryûkyû han]] in [[1872]]; the abolition of Ryûkyû ''han'' in turn and establishment of [[Okinawa prefecture]] in [[1879]] was the final nail in the coffin for the Ryûkyû Kingdom. The castle was occupied by [[Imperial Japanese Army|Imperial Japanese forces]], specifically the [[Kumamoto Garrison]]<!--熊本鎮台分遣隊兵営-->, immediately upon being vacated by the former king and his court.  

The kingdom was abolished and replaced with [[Ryukyu han|Ryûkyû han]] in [[1872]]; the abolition of Ryûkyû ''han'' in turn and establishment of [[Okinawa prefecture]] in [[1879]] was the final nail in the coffin for the Ryûkyû Kingdom. The castle was occupied by [[Imperial Japanese Army|Imperial Japanese forces]], specifically the [[Kumamoto Garrison]]<!--熊本鎮台分遣隊兵営-->, immediately upon being vacated by the former king and his court.