Changes

*''Okinawan'': 城・グスク ''(gusuku/gushiku)''

*''Okinawan'': 城・グスク ''(gusuku/gushiku)''

''Gusuku'' are Okinawan castles or fortresses. Known especially for their long, winding stone walls, the height of ''gusuku'' construction was in the 14th century, a time of conflict on [[Okinawa Island]]. Five are included alongside a handful of other Okinawan sites in a single group [[World Heritage Site]] as "Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu]]."<ref name=unesco>"[http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/972/ Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu]." UNESCO: World Heritage Convention. Accessed 15 May 2011.</ref> Most ''gusuku'' are today in ruins; only [[Shuri castle]] has been reconstructed.

''Gusuku'' are Okinawan castles or fortresses and sacred sites. Known especially for their long, winding stone walls, the height of ''gusuku'' construction was in the 14th century, a time of conflict on [[Okinawa Island]]. Five are included alongside a handful of other Okinawan sites in a single group [[World Heritage Site]] as "Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu]]."<ref name=unesco>"[http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/972/ Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu]." UNESCO: World Heritage Convention. Accessed 15 May 2011.</ref> Most ''gusuku'' are today in ruins; only [[Shuri castle]] has been reconstructed.

==History==

==History==

The walls themselves were constructed in a number of different ways, quite similar to those employed in Japanese [[Azuchi-Momoyama period|Azuchi-Momoyama]] or [[Edo period]] castles a few centuries later. Earlier ''gusuku'' such as [[Gushikawa gusuku]] and [[Tamagusuku gusuku]] reflect the ''Nozura-zumi''<!--野面積--> style, in which uncut rocks were simply piled. Cut, rectangular stones were used in the ''Nuno-zumi''<!--布積--> style, which can be seen at, for example, [[Itokazu gusuku]]. The ''Kikkô-midare-zumi''<!--亀甲乱れ積み--> technique, in which stones were carefully carved and fitted, was used to make the elegant curves for which some of the most famous ''gusuku'' are known.<ref name=journey/>

The walls themselves were constructed in a number of different ways, quite similar to those employed in Japanese [[Azuchi-Momoyama period|Azuchi-Momoyama]] or [[Edo period]] castles a few centuries later. Earlier ''gusuku'' such as [[Gushikawa gusuku]] and [[Tamagusuku gusuku]] reflect the ''Nozura-zumi''<!--野面積--> style, in which uncut rocks were simply piled. Cut, rectangular stones were used in the ''Nuno-zumi''<!--布積--> style, which can be seen at, for example, [[Itokazu gusuku]]. The ''Kikkô-midare-zumi''<!--亀甲乱れ積み--> technique, in which stones were carefully carved and fitted, was used to make the elegant curves for which some of the most famous ''gusuku'' are known.<ref name=journey/>

''Gusuku'' were organized in a variety of different ways, as best suited their geography, but most featured a sacred grove (''[[utaki]]'') alongside the lord's residence in the innermost bailey, or ''unaa'' (御庭). Shuri castle, for example, is organized in a roughly concentric format, with each set of walls surrounded by another, larger, set of walls. Those entering the castle make many turns as they pass through each gate, moving further towards the center. By contrast, Nakijin castle followed a more stepped layout, with the innermost sections of the castle - the lord's residence, and a sacred grove - at the top of the hill, the path there from the outermost gates following a more or less straight path up the hill, through one gate after another.

''Gusuku'' were organized in a variety of different ways, as best suited their geography, but most featured a sacred grove (''[[utaki]]'') alongside the lord's residence in the innermost bailey, or ''unaa'' (御庭), at the highest point of elevation within the space. Shuri castle, for example, is organized in a roughly concentric format, with each set of walls surrounded by another, larger, set of walls. Those entering the castle make many turns as they pass through each gate, moving further towards the center. By contrast, Nakijin castle followed a more stepped layout, with the innermost sections of the castle - the lord's residence, and a sacred grove - at the top of the hill, the path there from the outermost gates following a more or less straight path up the hill, through one gate after another.

==References==

==References==