Changes

Lacking the funds to repair or maintain the castle, Shuri Ward made the difficult decision in 1923 to tear down the Seiden rather than allow it to become an even greater danger. However, a newspaper article about this decision written by [[Sueyoshi Bakumonto|Sueyoshi Ankyô]] caught the attention of ''[[mingei]]'' scholar [[Kamakura Yoshitaro|Kamakura Yoshitarô]], who enlisted the help of [[University of Tokyo|Tokyo Imperial University]] architecture professor [[Ito Chuta|Itô Chûta]], who managed to convince the head of the Bureau of Shrine Affairs (''Jinja kyoku'') within the [[Home Ministry]] (''Naimushô'') to order the demolition halted.<ref name=beni53>"Beni no ugushiku," 53.</ref>

Lacking the funds to repair or maintain the castle, Shuri Ward made the difficult decision in 1923 to tear down the Seiden rather than allow it to become an even greater danger. However, a newspaper article about this decision written by [[Sueyoshi Bakumonto|Sueyoshi Ankyô]] caught the attention of ''[[mingei]]'' scholar [[Kamakura Yoshitaro|Kamakura Yoshitarô]], who enlisted the help of [[University of Tokyo|Tokyo Imperial University]] architecture professor [[Ito Chuta|Itô Chûta]], who managed to convince the head of the Bureau of Shrine Affairs (''Jinja kyoku'') within the [[Home Ministry]] (''Naimushô'') to order the demolition halted.<ref name=beni53>"Beni no ugushiku," 53.</ref>

Around 1925, with the considerable contributions of architect [[Ito Chuta|Itô Chûta]], the castle was converted into "[[Okinawa Shrine]]", a [[Shinto shrine]] within the national networks of [[State Shinto]]. This was done so that the castle could be designated a [[National Treasure]], which it was that same year, in order for considerable national funds to be diverted to funding restoration and preservation efforts. This transformation of the castle into a shrine was necessary because at the time, up until 1932, Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples were the only sites which could be declared National Treasures.<ref name=loo/> The Seiden (as "Okinawa Shrine") was designated a National Treasure in 1929; the Shureimon, Kankaimon, Zuisenmon, and a number of other structures were named National Treasures in 1933.<ref name=shimposhurireki/> All lost the designation after being destroyed in 1945.

Around 1925, with the considerable contributions of architect [[Ito Chuta|Itô Chûta]], the castle was converted into "[[Okinawa Shrine]]", a [[Shinto shrine]] within the national networks of [[State Shinto]]. The core of the shrine itself was constructed behind the Yosoeden, in an area known as the Kanegura 金蔵; the Seiden was then made the main worship hall, or ''haiden'', of the shrine.<ref name=beni53/> This was done so that the castle could be designated a [[National Treasure]], which it was that same year, in order for considerable national funds to be diverted to funding restoration and preservation efforts. This transformation of the castle into a shrine was necessary because at the time, up until 1932, Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples were the only sites which could be declared National Treasures.<ref name=loo/> The Seiden (as "Okinawa Shrine") was designated a National Treasure in 1929; the Shureimon, Kankaimon, Zuisenmon, and a number of other structures were named National Treasures in 1933.<ref name=shimposhurireki/> All lost the designation after being destroyed in 1945.

===Destruction and Restoration===

===Destruction and Restoration===