Changes

A series of four separate ramparts and palisades defended the lower portion of the castle, along with a moat that has been dated to the late 14th-early 15th century. The upper portion of the castle, like many other ''gusuku'', was situated in such a way that it was sufficiently defended by sheer cliffs and the sea and likely lacked significant defensive walls or ramparts.

A series of four separate ramparts and palisades defended the lower portion of the castle, along with a moat that has been dated to the late 14th-early 15th century. The upper portion of the castle, like many other ''gusuku'', was situated in such a way that it was sufficiently defended by sheer cliffs and the sea and likely lacked significant defensive walls or ramparts.

The former sites of the two oldest [[Buddhist temples]] in Okinawa, the [[Ryufuku-ji|Ryûfuku-ji]] and [[Gokuraku-ji]], are nearby, along with [[Urasoe yodore|Urasoe yôdore]], the royal mausolea of several kings of Chûzan, dug directly into the cliffside.

The former sites of oldest [[Buddhist temple]] in Okinawa, the [[Gokuraku-ji (Okinawa)|Gokuraku-ji]] (relocated several times and renamed Ryûfuku-ji in the late 15th c.), are nearby, along with [[Urasoe yodore|Urasoe yôdore]], the royal mausolea of several kings of Chûzan, dug directly into the cliffside.

King [[Eiso]] (r. 1260-1299) ruled from Urasoe, and is entombed at Urasoe yôdore, near the northwest cliff of the castle. His mausoleum contains three stone coffins from China, possibly from [[Fujian]]; it is believed that Eiso is buried in the largest one, his father and grandfather in the other two. The coffins are decorated with birds, flowers, deer, ''[[shishi]]'' (lion-dogs), and various Buddhist images, along with dragons and phoenixes on the lids, which are designed to look like tiled roofs. Though Eiso lived in the 13th century, however, based on the style of designs and decorations on the coffins, archaeologists believe these to be of later, 15th century, construction. King [[Sho Nei|Shô Nei]] (r. 1597-1620), is also entombed here.

King [[Eiso]] (r. 1260-1299) ruled from Urasoe, and is entombed at Urasoe yôdore, near the northwest cliff of the castle. His mausoleum contains three stone coffins from China, possibly from [[Fujian]]; it is believed that Eiso is buried in the largest one, his father and grandfather in the other two. The coffins are decorated with birds, flowers, deer, ''[[shishi]]'' (lion-dogs), and various Buddhist images, along with dragons and phoenixes on the lids, which are designed to look like tiled roofs. Though Eiso lived in the 13th century, however, based on the style of designs and decorations on the coffins, archaeologists believe these to be of later, 15th century, construction. King [[Sho Nei|Shô Nei]] (r. 1597-1620), is also entombed here.