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[[File:Mie-gusuku.jpg|right|thumb|320px|Mie gusuku, as it appears today]]
[[File:Mie-gusuku.jpg|right|thumb|320px|Mie gusuku, as it appears today]]
*''Built: [[1554]]''
*''Japanese/Okinawan'': 三重城 ''(Mie gusuku / Mii gusuku)''
*''Japanese/Okinawan'': 三重城 ''(Mie gusuku / Mii gusuku)''
Mie gusuku was a small defensive fortress in [[Naha]], the main commercial harbor of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]]. It and [[Yarazamori gusuku]] were each located at the ends of earthen embankments sticking out into the harbor, and functioned chiefly to defend the harbor from [[wako|pirates]].
Mie gusuku was a small defensive fortress in [[Naha]], the main commercial harbor of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]]. It and [[Yarazamori gusuku]] were each located at the ends of earthen embankments sticking out into the harbor, and functioned chiefly to defend the harbor from [[wako|pirates]]. Both were constructed during the reign of King [[Sho Sei (尚清)|Shô Sei]] using labor not only from [[Okinawa Island]] but from elsewhere in the kingdom as well.<ref>Gallery labels, National Museum of Japanese History (Rekihaku).[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/9649093535/sizes/l]</ref>
In the late 16th century through the beginning of the 17th, a large chain was at times extended across the harbor, between the two fortresses, to block pirates or other ships from entering the harbor.
In the late 16th century through the beginning of the 17th, a large chain was at times extended across the harbor, between the two fortresses, to block pirates or other ships from entering the harbor.
Mie gusuku was also a popular site for seeing off Ryukyuan ships departing the harbor.
Mie gusuku was also a popular site for seeing off Ryukyuan ships departing the harbor. It survived relatively intact well into the pre-war period, but suffered severe damage, as did much of the island, in 1944-1945.<ref>Uezato Takashi, "Ryûkyû no kaki ni tsuite," ''Okinawa bunka'' 36:91 (2000), 86.</ref>
Though little remains of the fortress itself today, the rock outcropping on which it stood remains clearly visible and intact. A small worship site stands on the site today, along with a modern Japan Coast Guard watchtower.
Though little remains of the fortress itself today, the rock outcropping on which it stood remains clearly visible and intact. A small worship site stands on the site today, along with a modern Japan Coast Guard watchtower.
==References==
==References==
*"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-43034-storytopic-121.html Mie gusuku]," ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.
*"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-43034-storytopic-121.html Mie gusuku]," ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.
<references/>
==External Links==
==External Links==