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====Shureimon====

====Shureimon====

The symbolic entrance to the castle proper was the Shureimon, originally constructed around [[1555]]<ref name=Turnbull44/>, which remains today one of the most famous symbols of Okinawa, and specifically of the kingdom and the castle. Architecturally patterned after a Chinese ''paifang'' gate, the Shureimon takes its name from the plaque installed upon it which declares Ryûkyû to be ''shurei no kuni'' (守禮之邦), often translated as "(a) Nation of Propriety." This plaque was originally only displayed when Chinese investiture envoys were visiting the kingdom, but during the reign of King [[Sho Shitsu|Shô Shitsu]] (r. [[1648]]-[[1668]]), the plaque came to be hung at the gate permanently. Historian [[Mark McNally]] has suggested that the plaque was especially seen as a reminder that the kingdom should strive to aspire to being a "kingdom of propriety."<ref>[[Mark McNally]], presentation at "[http://www.hawaii.edu/asiaref/japan/event2013/Index.htm#symposium Interpreting Parades and Processions of Edo Japan]" symposium, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 11 Feb 2013.</ref> Previously, plaques had been hung from the gate reading "Awaiting the Bearers of Virtue" (待賢, ''taiken''), and then, during the reign of [[Sho Sei (尚清)|Shô Sei]] (r. [[1527]]-[[1555]]), this was replaced with a plaque reading, simply, "Shuri."<ref>Chan, Ying Kit. “A Bridge between Myriad Lands: The Ryukyu Kingdom and Ming China (1372-1526).” Thesis, National University of Singapore, 2010, 73. http://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/20602.

The symbolic entrance to the castle proper was the Shureimon, originally constructed around [[1555]]<ref name=Turnbull44/> during the reign of [[Sho Sei|Shô Sei]]. It remains today one of the most famous symbols of Okinawa, and of the kingdom and the castle more specifically. Architecturally patterned after a Chinese ''paifang'' gate, the Shureimon is just over seven meters tall, and just under eight meters wide. It was declared a National Treasure in 1933, but was destroyed in World War II; the current gate dates to 1958.<ref name=shurei>Plaques on-site at Shureimon.</ref> The Shureimon takes its name from the plaque installed upon it which declares Ryûkyû to be ''shurei no kuni'' (守禮之邦), often translated as "(a) Nation of Propriety." This plaque was created during the reign of [[Sho Ei|Shô Ei]] (r. [[1573]]-[[1588]]), and was originally only displayed when Chinese investiture envoys were visiting the kingdom, but during the reign of King [[Sho Shitsu|Shô Shitsu]] (r. [[1648]]-[[1668]]), the plaque came to be hung at the gate permanently. Historian [[Mark McNally]] has suggested that the plaque was especially seen as a reminder that the kingdom should strive to aspire to being a "kingdom of propriety."<ref>[[Mark McNally]], presentation at "[http://www.hawaii.edu/asiaref/japan/event2013/Index.htm#symposium Interpreting Parades and Processions of Edo Japan]" symposium, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 11 Feb 2013.</ref> Previously, plaques had been hung from the gate reading "Awaiting the Bearers of Virtue" (待賢, ''taiken''), and then, during the reign of [[Sho Sei (尚清)|Shô Sei]] (r. [[1527]]-[[1555]]), this was replaced with a plaque reading, simply, "Shuri";<ref>Chan, Ying Kit. “A Bridge between Myriad Lands: The Ryukyu Kingdom and Ming China (1372-1526).” Thesis, National University of Singapore, 2010, 73. http://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/20602.</ref> as a result, the gate was previously known as Taikenmon, and then Shurimon, after these plaques displayed at that time.<ref name=shurei/>

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Just within the gate can be found the stone gate to [[Sonohyan utaki]], a sacred space of the native Ryukyuan religion, where the king and others would often pray. The gate was constructed in [[1519]], upon the orders of King Shô Shin, by a stonemason from [[Taketomi Island]] named [[Nishito|Nishitô]].

Just within the gate can be found the stone gate to [[Sonohyan utaki]], a sacred space of the native Ryukyuan religion, where the king and others would often pray. The gate was constructed in [[1519]], upon the orders of King Shô Shin, by a stonemason from [[Taketomi Island]] named [[Nishito|Nishitô]].

Also known as Wii-nu-Aijô ("Upper Grand Gate"), the Shureimon also marks the beginning of [[Aijo-ufumichi|Aijô-ufumichi]], the main boulevard running west from the castle.<ref>Plaques on-site at Aijô-ufumichi.</ref>

Also known as Wii-nu-Aijô ("Upper Grand Gate"), the Shureimon also marks the beginning of [[Aijo-ufumichi|Aijô-ufumichi]], the main boulevard running west from the castle.<ref>Plaques on-site at Aijô-ufumichi.</ref>

Beyond the symbolic Shureimon, the main gate granting entry through the outer walls of the compound is the Kankaimon (歓会門), flanked by two stone ''[[shisa]]'' (lion dogs). Like most of the gates in the walls of Shuri Castle, the Kankaimon consists of a gap in the stone wall, with a wooden structure atop it, with a flared tiled roof. "Kankaimon" can be translated as "Gate of Welcome," a name given to it to better convey a spirit of welcome for visiting envoys of the Chinese Emperor; the Okinawan language name of the gate, ''Amae ujô'' (あまへ御門), has a similar meaning.<ref>Plaques on-site at the Kankaimon.</ref> The Kankaimon was built originally sometime around 1477-1500<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kankaimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

Beyond the symbolic Shureimon, the main gate granting entry through the outer walls of the compound is the Kankaimon (歓会門), flanked by two stone ''[[shisa]]'' (lion dogs). Like most of the gates in the walls of Shuri Castle, the Kankaimon consists of a gap in the stone wall, with a wooden structure atop it, with a flared tiled roof. "Kankaimon" can be translated as "Gate of Welcome," a name given to it to better convey a spirit of welcome for visiting envoys of the Chinese Emperor; the Okinawan language name of the gate, ''Amae ujô'' (あまへ御門), has a similar meaning. The Kankaimon was built originally sometime around 1477-1500<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kankaimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>, and was most recently rebuilt or restored in 1974.<ref>Plaques on-site at the Kankaimon.</ref>

A short distance down the wall from the Kankaimon is the Kyûkeimon, the women's gate, which is elevated somewhat, and reached by a short staircase. Constructed during the reign of Shô Shin, the Kyûkeimon was also used when the king paid official visits to temples and shrines, or to sites in [[Urasoe]] or further north. Rainwater falling on and around the castle naturally gathered here, at a pair of springs which thus served to supply fresh water to the castle<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kyûkeimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

A short distance down the wall from the Kankaimon is the Kyûkeimon (久慶門), the women's gate, which is elevated somewhat, and reached by a short staircase. Constructed during the reign of Shô Shin, the Kyûkeimon was also used when the king paid official visits to temples and shrines, or to sites in [[Urasoe]] or further north. Rainwater falling on and around the castle naturally gathered here, at a pair of springs which thus served to supply fresh water to the castle<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kyûkeimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

An additional external gate, the Bifukumon (美福門), used to face the southeast. There are no known extant photographs of the gate, only a painting by oil painter [[Yamamoto Hosui|Yamamoto Hôsui]] which is believed to depict the gate; Hôsui visited Okinawa in [[1887]], and the gate is believed to have been lost soon afterwards. Excavations on this, and other sections of the site continue, and the gate may be rebuilt someday, along with other parts of the castle compound.<ref>This and seven others of Hôsui's Okinawa paintings are now held by the [[Museum of the Imperial Collections]] (''Sannomaru shôzôkan'') in Tokyo.<br>Takashina Erika 高階絵里加. "''Yamamoto Hôsui no Okinawa hômon ni kansuru shiron''" 山本芳翠の沖縄訪問に関する試論. ''Bijutsushi'' 144:2 (Mar 1998). pp141-142.</ref>

An additional external gate, the Bifukumon (美福門), used to face the southeast. There are no known extant photographs of the gate, only a painting by oil painter [[Yamamoto Hosui|Yamamoto Hôsui]] which is believed to depict the gate; Hôsui visited Okinawa in [[1887]], and the gate is believed to have been lost soon afterwards. Excavations on this, and other sections of the site continue, and the gate may be rebuilt someday, along with other parts of the castle compound.<ref>This and seven others of Hôsui's Okinawa paintings are now held by the [[Museum of the Imperial Collections]] (''Sannomaru shôzôkan'') in Tokyo.<br>Takashina Erika 高階絵里加. "''Yamamoto Hôsui no Okinawa hômon ni kansuru shiron''" 山本芳翠の沖縄訪問に関する試論. ''Bijutsushi'' 144:2 (Mar 1998). pp141-142.</ref>