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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>
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 restoration of the palace buildings after the 1660 fire is said to have been particularly difficult, and to have taken twelve years, because of the royal court's financial situation at the time. Lumber was sourced in some significant part from Kumejima for this restoration. The restoration following the 1709 fire, by contrast, took only three years; lumber and other materials were provided in some significant part by Kagoshima domain at this time.<ref>"Shurijô zenshô - Saiken e no michisuji"「首里城全焼 再建への道筋」, ''Gendai kôron'' 現代公論 (Spring 2020), 12.</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 Seiden and Yosoeden became sleeping quarters for the troops, the Nanden and Shoin quarters for the officers, and the Sasunoma the commander's quarters. The Unaa plaza in front of the main hall was used for drills.<ref name=beni>"Beni no ugushiku"「紅の御城(うぐしく)へ」, ''Momoto Special Issue: Shuri, Ryûkyû no miyako o aruku'' モモト 別冊：首里・琉球の都をあるく (2013/8), 52.</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 Seiden and Yosoeden became sleeping quarters for the troops, the Nanden and Shoin quarters for the officers, and the Sasunoma the commander's quarters. The Unaa plaza in front of the main hall was used for drills.<ref name=beni>"Beni no ugushiku"「紅の御城(うぐしく)へ」, ''Momoto Special Issue: Shuri, Ryûkyû no miyako o aruku'' モモト 別冊：首里・琉球の都をあるく (2013/8), 52.</ref>