Changes

The oldest [[Buddhist temples]] in Okinawa, the [[Ryufuku-ji]] and [[Gokuraku-ji]], are nearby, along with the royal mausolea of several kings of Chûzan, dug directly into the cliffside.

The oldest [[Buddhist temples]] in Okinawa, the [[Ryufuku-ji]] and [[Gokuraku-ji]], are nearby, along with the royal mausolea of several kings of Chûzan, dug directly into the cliffside.

King [[Eiso]] (r. 1260-1299) ruled Chûzan from Urasoe, and is entombed near the northwest cliff of the castle. His mausoleum contains three stone coffins from China, possibly from [[Fujian]]; it is believed that Eiso is buried in the largest one, his father and grandfather in the other two. The coffins are decorated with birds, flowers, deer, ''[[shishi]]'' (lion-dogs), and various Buddhist images, along with dragons and phoenixes on the lids, which are designed to look like tiled roofs. Though Eiso lived in the 13th century, however, based on the style of designs and decorations on the coffins, archaeologists believe these to be of later, 15th century, construction. King [[Sho Nei|Shô Nei]] (r. 1597-1620), is also entombed here.

King [[Eiso]] (r. 1260-1299) ruled from Urasoe, and is entombed near the northwest cliff of the castle. His mausoleum contains three stone coffins from China, possibly from [[Fujian]]; it is believed that Eiso is buried in the largest one, his father and grandfather in the other two. The coffins are decorated with birds, flowers, deer, ''[[shishi]]'' (lion-dogs), and various Buddhist images, along with dragons and phoenixes on the lids, which are designed to look like tiled roofs. Though Eiso lived in the 13th century, however, based on the style of designs and decorations on the coffins, archaeologists believe these to be of later, 15th century, construction. King [[Sho Nei|Shô Nei]] (r. 1597-1620), is also entombed here.

Excavations in the last decades of the 20th century uncovered a ceremonial path leading from the castle to the tombs, along with the remains of an artificial lake, a tunnel entrance to the castle, and a series of residences believed to have belonged to a noble family. Over 30,000 artifacts were recovered from these excavations.

Excavations in the last decades of the 20th century uncovered a ceremonial path leading from the castle to the tombs, along with the remains of an artificial lake, a tunnel entrance to the castle, and a series of residences believed to have belonged to a noble family. Over 30,000 artifacts were recovered from these excavations.