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* ''Died: [[1458]]''
* ''Titles: [[Katsuren gusuku|Katsuren]] [[anji]]''
* ''Japanese/Okinawan'': 阿麻和利 ''(Amawari)''
Amawari was a lord (''[[anji]]'') of [[Katsuren gusuku]], known for his ambitions for the throne of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]] and for his schemes and attack against [[Gosamaru]], ''anji'' of [[Nakagusuku]].
==Life==
According to legend, Amawari was born to a peasant family in Yara, in [[Chatan]] ''[[magiri]]''<ref name=jinmei>"Amawari." ''Okinawa rekishi jinmei jiten'' (沖縄歴史人名事典, "Encyclopedia of People of Okinawan History"). Naha: Okinawa Bunka-sha, 1996. p10.</ref>. Toppling the lord of Katsuren gusuku, Amawari seized his domain<ref name=jinmei/>. Taking advantage of opportunities for maritime trade, he gained a degree of wealth and power, and married Momotofumi Agari, daughter of King [[Sho Taikyu|Shô Taikyû]], further solidifying his power<ref name=jinmei/>.
Anxious about Amawari's power, King Shô Taikyû arranged that a new castle be built at Nakagusuku, under the command and supervision of the ''anji'' (aristocrat/lord) Gosamaru, between Katsuren and the royal capital of [[Shuri]]. In 1458, Amawari accused Gosamaru of plotting to overthrow the king, and as a result came to lead the royal armies in an attack on Nakagusuku which ended in Gosamaru's death by suicide. Amawari then plotted to overthrow the king himself, but, his plan discovered by his wife and her attendant Oni Ōgusuku, he was attacked and defeated by royal forces led by the latter<ref name=jinmei/>, and executed. An alternate theory, however, claims that the entire affair was organized by the royal government, in order to remove both Gosamaru and Amawari as powerful rivals and potential threats to the succession<ref>"Gosamaru-Amawari no hen." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). [http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41393-storytopic-121.html Ryukyu Shimpo] (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 25 July 2009.</ref>.
The tale of Gosamaru's betrayal and destruction by Amawari is among the more famous and popular of local historical legends. A ''[[kumiodori]]'' dance-play telling of Gosamaru's sons' quest for revenge against Amawari, was once performed as part of the kingdom's formal entertainment of [[Chinese investiture envoys to Ryukyu|Chinese investiture envoys]], and has in more recent times become a popular favorite<ref name=summit>Okinawa G8 Summit Host Preparation Council. "Three Castles, Two Lords and a Ryukyuan Opera." [http://www.pref.okinawa.jp/summit/gusuku/gusuku_1b/index2.htm The Okinawa Summit 2000 Archives]. Accessed 25 July 2009.</ref>.
Though he is introduced as a traitor in most history books, Amawari is praised by the peasantry in the ''omoro'', oral traditional songs and poems relating history and legend<ref name=jinmei/>.
==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Ryukyu]]
[[Category:Muromachi Period]]
[[Category:Nobility]]
* ''Titles: [[Katsuren gusuku|Katsuren]] [[anji]]''
* ''Japanese/Okinawan'': 阿麻和利 ''(Amawari)''
Amawari was a lord (''[[anji]]'') of [[Katsuren gusuku]], known for his ambitions for the throne of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]] and for his schemes and attack against [[Gosamaru]], ''anji'' of [[Nakagusuku]].
==Life==
According to legend, Amawari was born to a peasant family in Yara, in [[Chatan]] ''[[magiri]]''<ref name=jinmei>"Amawari." ''Okinawa rekishi jinmei jiten'' (沖縄歴史人名事典, "Encyclopedia of People of Okinawan History"). Naha: Okinawa Bunka-sha, 1996. p10.</ref>. Toppling the lord of Katsuren gusuku, Amawari seized his domain<ref name=jinmei/>. Taking advantage of opportunities for maritime trade, he gained a degree of wealth and power, and married Momotofumi Agari, daughter of King [[Sho Taikyu|Shô Taikyû]], further solidifying his power<ref name=jinmei/>.
Anxious about Amawari's power, King Shô Taikyû arranged that a new castle be built at Nakagusuku, under the command and supervision of the ''anji'' (aristocrat/lord) Gosamaru, between Katsuren and the royal capital of [[Shuri]]. In 1458, Amawari accused Gosamaru of plotting to overthrow the king, and as a result came to lead the royal armies in an attack on Nakagusuku which ended in Gosamaru's death by suicide. Amawari then plotted to overthrow the king himself, but, his plan discovered by his wife and her attendant Oni Ōgusuku, he was attacked and defeated by royal forces led by the latter<ref name=jinmei/>, and executed. An alternate theory, however, claims that the entire affair was organized by the royal government, in order to remove both Gosamaru and Amawari as powerful rivals and potential threats to the succession<ref>"Gosamaru-Amawari no hen." ''Okinawa konpakuto jiten'' (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). [http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41393-storytopic-121.html Ryukyu Shimpo] (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 25 July 2009.</ref>.
The tale of Gosamaru's betrayal and destruction by Amawari is among the more famous and popular of local historical legends. A ''[[kumiodori]]'' dance-play telling of Gosamaru's sons' quest for revenge against Amawari, was once performed as part of the kingdom's formal entertainment of [[Chinese investiture envoys to Ryukyu|Chinese investiture envoys]], and has in more recent times become a popular favorite<ref name=summit>Okinawa G8 Summit Host Preparation Council. "Three Castles, Two Lords and a Ryukyuan Opera." [http://www.pref.okinawa.jp/summit/gusuku/gusuku_1b/index2.htm The Okinawa Summit 2000 Archives]. Accessed 25 July 2009.</ref>.
Though he is introduced as a traitor in most history books, Amawari is praised by the peasantry in the ''omoro'', oral traditional songs and poems relating history and legend<ref name=jinmei/>.
==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Ryukyu]]
[[Category:Muromachi Period]]
[[Category:Nobility]]
