Changes

The third of the New Year's ceremonies is known as ''ufu tuui'' (大通り), and involved the king sharing bottles of [[awamori]] with the members of the court, in celebration of the New Year. In today's modern reenactments of this ceremony, doors are opened on the first floor of the Seiden, revealing the king and queen seated on thrones, before a stand bearing bottles of awamori, and drinking cups. After the king and queen drink from the cups, pages (''koshô'') provide awamori to the gathered officials. A special type of liquor bottle known as ''utamasuki'' (御玉貫), covered within a beaded jacket, is used for this ritual purpose. However, according to other sources, this celebration of the new year was held first in the Nanden, on the southern side of the castle's main plaza, and was known as ''fee nu udun ukishiki'' (南風之御殿御規式). After changing from Chinese-style court costume into Ryukyuan garb, the king appeared before a group of officials who formally presented him with flowers and awamori. This liquor was then shared with officials gathered in the first floor throne room (''shichagui'') and with commoners gathered in the ''unaa'', in a ceremony known as ''mii nu mee jurii, miichi ukazai nu ukishiki'' (美御前揃三ツ御飾御規式). This marked the end of the formal ceremonies for the day.

The third of the New Year's ceremonies is known as ''ufu tuui'' (大通り), and involved the king sharing bottles of [[awamori]] with the members of the court, in celebration of the New Year. In today's modern reenactments of this ceremony, doors are opened on the first floor of the Seiden, revealing the king and queen seated on thrones, before a stand bearing bottles of awamori, and drinking cups. After the king and queen drink from the cups, pages (''koshô'') provide awamori to the gathered officials. A special type of liquor bottle known as ''utamasuki'' (御玉貫), covered within a beaded jacket, is used for this ritual purpose. However, according to other sources, this celebration of the new year was held first in the Nanden, on the southern side of the castle's main plaza, and was known as ''fee nu udun ukishiki'' (南風之御殿御規式). After changing from Chinese-style court costume into Ryukyuan garb, the king appeared before a group of officials who formally presented him with flowers and awamori. This liquor was then shared with officials gathered in the first floor throne room (''shichagui'') and with commoners gathered in the ''unaa'', in a ceremony known as ''mii nu mee jurii, miichi ukazai nu ukishiki'' (美御前揃三ツ御飾御規式). This marked the end of the formal ceremonies for the day.

On the third day of the new year, the king made formal visits to the Buddhist temples of [[Engaku-ji (Okinawa)|Engaku-ji]], [[Tenkai-ji]], and [[Tenno-ji (Okinawa)|Tennô-ji]].<ref>The date of this ceremony had previously been variable, but was set to the 3rd day beginning in [[1672]]. In the late 20th century, a reenactment of this ceremonial procession became a central element of the annual Shuri Culture Festival (''Shuri Bunka sai''). Tawada Shinjun 多和田真淳, "Koshiki no gyôretsu ni tsuite"「古式の行列について」、''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), 69.</ref>

On the third day of the new year, the king processed through the streets of Shuri with an entourage of some 300 members of court, to make formal visits to the Buddhist temples of [[Engaku-ji (Okinawa)|Engaku-ji]], [[Tenkai-ji]], and [[Tenno-ji (Okinawa)|Tennô-ji]], where he prayed for the peace and prosperity of the kingdom.<ref>Aharen Honkei 阿波連本啓, "Ikiru akashi" 生きる証し, ''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), 95.; The date of this ceremony had previously been variable, but was set to the 3rd day beginning in [[1672]]. In the late 20th century, a reenactment of this ceremonial procession became a central element of the annual Shuri Culture Festival (''Shuri Bunka sai''). Tawada Shinjun 多和田真淳, "Koshiki no gyôretsu ni tsuite"「古式の行列について」, ''Shurijô fukugen charity tokubetsu kôen'', 69.</ref>

On the 15th day of the new year, the court repeated much the same ceremonies as on the first day, except with the King in Ryukyuan garb instead of his [[Ming Dynasty|Ming]]-style court costume.

On the 15th day of the new year, the court repeated much the same ceremonies as on the first day, except with the King in Ryukyuan garb instead of his [[Ming Dynasty|Ming]]-style court costume.