Changes

[[Image:Engakuji-Shuri.JPG|right|thumb|300px|[[Engaku-ji (Okinawa)|Engaku-ji]] as it appears today.]]

[[Image:Engakuji-Shuri.JPG|right|thumb|300px|[[Engaku-ji (Okinawa)|Engaku-ji]] as it appears today.]]

Prior to the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, in which many historical buildings and objects were lost, Okinawa boasted eleven sites (twenty buildings) designated as [[National Treasures]]; there were 25 prefectures which had fewer National Treasures. Those eleven sites included four [[Buddhist temples|temples]] and [[Shinto shrines|shrines]] (13 buildings); five castles and palaces; and two other stone structures.<ref name=okinawa>Suzuki Kakichi, Miyamoto Chôjirô and Ushikawa Yoshiyuki. "Ryûkyûan Architecture: Its History and Features." in ''Okinawa bijutsu zenshû'' 沖縄美術全集. vol. 5. Okinawa Times, 1989.</ref>

 

Prior to the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, in which many historical buildings and objects were lost, Okinawa boasted eleven sites (twenty buildings) designated as [[National Treasures]]; only [[Kyoto prefecture|Kyoto]] and [[Nara prefecture]]s claimed a greater number of National Treasures.<ref>Yasuyuki Uezu, "The Path Towards the Restoration of Shuri Castle," n.d., 1.</ref> Those eleven sites included four [[Buddhist temples|temples]] and [[Shinto shrines|shrines]] (13 buildings); five castles and palaces; and two other stone structures.<ref name=okinawa>Suzuki Kakichi, Miyamoto Chôjirô and Ushikawa Yoshiyuki. "Ryûkyûan Architecture: Its History and Features." in ''Okinawa bijutsu zenshû'' 沖縄美術全集. vol. 5. Okinawa Times, 1989.</ref>

Today, there are twelve sites (23 individual buildings) in Okinawa designated as [[Important Cultural Properties]].  Six sites of stone structures (incorporating ten individual structures) are Important Cultural Properties today, including three which had previously been designated National Treasures. Five ''[[minka]]'' sites, incorporating eleven buildings, have been designated as Important Cultural Properties, along with one shrine (two buildings).<ref name=okinawa/>

Today, there are twelve sites (23 individual buildings) in Okinawa designated as [[Important Cultural Properties]].  Six sites of stone structures (incorporating ten individual structures) are Important Cultural Properties today, including three which had previously been designated National Treasures. Five ''[[minka]]'' sites, incorporating eleven buildings, have been designated as Important Cultural Properties, along with one shrine (two buildings).<ref name=okinawa/>

Many surviving artifacts of great Ryukyuan cultural and historical significance are today housed at the [[Okinawa Prefectural Museum]].

A large number of objects associated with the [[Sho Dynasty|Ryukyuan royal family]] held at the [[Naha City Museum of History]] have been designated, as a group, as a single National Treasure under the name [[Historical Documents of the Sho Family Kings of Ryukyu|Historical Documents of the Shô Family Kings of Ryûkyû]] (''Ryûkyû kokuô shô ke kankei shiryô''). This group includes numerous documents, ''[[bingata]]'' robes and other textile objects, a number of pieces of lacquerware, pottery, and the like, and several swords. Many other surviving artifacts of great Ryukyuan cultural and historical significance are today housed at the [[Okinawa Prefectural Museum]].

==List of Sites & Objects==

==List of Sites & Objects==

*Several ''[[bingata]]'' garments previously owned by the royal family. Naha City Museum of History.

*[[Aragaki house]] and ''agari-nu-gama'' [[Ryukyuan pottery|pottery]] kilns in Tsuboya, Naha. Important Cultural Property.

*[[Chiyoganemaru]] - 15th century sword formerly owned by the royal family. Naha City Museum of History.

*[[Engaku-ji (Okinawa)|Engaku-ji]] - named a National Treasure in 1933; destroyed in 1945. Rebuilt gates and bridge named Important Cultural Property in 1975.

*[[Engaku-ji (Okinawa)|Engaku-ji]] - named a National Treasure in 1933; destroyed in 1945. Rebuilt gates and bridge named Important Cultural Property in 1975.

*[[Naminoue Shrine]] Temple Bell - cast in Korea in [[956]], named National Treasure in [[1907]]; destroyed 1945. A portion of the top loop survives at the Prefectural Museum.

*[[Naminoue Shrine]] Temple Bell - cast in Korea in [[956]], named National Treasure in [[1907]]; destroyed 1945. A portion of the top loop survives at the Prefectural Museum.

*[[Shuri Castle]] - designated a National Treasure c. 1925; destroyed in 1945. Rebuilt in 1992. Ruins and overall site (other than reconstructions) named a [[World Heritage Site]] in 2000.

*[[Shuri Castle]] - designated a National Treasure c. 1925; destroyed in 1945. Rebuilt in 1992. Ruins and overall site (other than reconstructions) named a [[World Heritage Site]] in 2000.

*[[Sogen-ji|Sôgen-ji]] - designated a National Treasure in 1933; destroyed in 1945. Surviving stone walls & gates are today an Important Cultural Property.

*[[Sogen-ji|Sôgen-ji]] - designated a National Treasure in 1933; destroyed in 1945. Surviving stone walls & gates are today an Important Cultural Property.

 

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