Changes

Sonohyan Utaki is a [[utaki|sacred grove]] of the native [[Ryukyuan religion]] located on the grounds of [[Shuri castle]]. Traditionally, the king of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] would stop and pray at Sonohyan utaki prior to his departing the castle on a journey.

Sonohyan Utaki is a [[utaki|sacred grove]] of the native [[Ryukyuan religion]] located on the grounds of [[Shuri castle]]. Traditionally, the king of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] would stop and pray at Sonohyan utaki prior to his departing the castle on a journey.

The stone walls and gate to the grove were erected by a stonemason from [[Taketomi Island]] named [[Nishito]], in [[1519]], at the order of King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]]. This gate is counted as part of the [[World Heritage Site]] known officially as "[[Gusuku]] Sites and Related Properties of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu]]," and is a nationally-designated [[Important Cultural Property]].

The stone walls and gate to the grove were erected by a stonemason from [[Taketomi Island]] named [[Nishito]], in [[1519]], at the order of King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]]. Destroyed in 1945, it was restored in 1957. This gate is counted as part of the [[World Heritage Site]] known officially as "[[Gusuku]] Sites and Related Properties of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu]]," and is a nationally-designated [[Important Cultural Property]].

==References==

==References==

*"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41929-storytopic-121.html Sonohyan utaki]." ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo. 1 March 2003.

*"[http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41929-storytopic-121.html Sonohyan utaki]." ''Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia'' 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryukyu Shimpo. 1 March 2003.

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Shrines]]

[[Category:Shrines]]