Changes

* ''Died: [[1458]]''

* ''Died: [[1458]]''

* ''Titles: [[Nakijin gusuku|Nakijin]] [[anji]], [[Zakimi gusuku|Zakimi]] anji, [[Nakagusuku gusuku|Nakagusuku]] anji''

* ''Titles: [[Nakijin gusuku|Nakijin]] [[anji]], [[Zakimi gusuku|Zakimi]] anji, [[Nakagusuku gusuku|Nakagusuku]] anji''

* ''Other Names'': 盛春 ''(Seishun)''; 毛国鼎 ''(Ch: Mao Guoding / J: Mô Kokutei)''

* ''Other Names'': 盛春 ''(Seishun, Moriharu)''; 毛国鼎 ''(Ch: Mao Guoding / J: Mô Kokutei)''

* ''Japanese/Okinawan'': 護佐丸 ''(Gosamaru)''

* ''Japanese/Okinawan'': 護佐丸 ''(Gosamaru)''

For many years, Gosamaru served the kingdom loyally, and developed ties with the royal family, his granddaughter [[Momoto Fumiagari]] marrying King [[Sho Taikyu|Shô Taikyû]]<ref name=jiten-gosamaru/>. Upon the wishes of the royal government, he transferred his residence to Nakagusuku, becoming the fourth lord of that castle. He engaged in construction efforts renovating or expanding that castle, and established himself there, serving to watch over another local lord, [[Amawari]] of [[Katsuren gusuku]], who had grown powerful and wealthy from maritime trade and who had his eye on the throne<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>. In 1458, however, Amawari reported to the royal government that it was Gosamaru who was planning a revolt<ref name=summit/>, and so the kingdom's forces, led by Amawari, assaulted Nakagusuku. It is said that Gosamaru refused to fight back, out of loyalty to the kingdom, and killed himself rather than betray his loyalties and oppose his king<ref name=jinmei/>. Amawari was executed soon afterwards, his duplicity having been discovered. An alternate theory 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>.

For many years, Gosamaru served the kingdom loyally, and developed ties with the royal family, his granddaughter [[Momoto Fumiagari]] marrying King [[Sho Taikyu|Shô Taikyû]]<ref name=jiten-gosamaru/>. Upon the wishes of the royal government, he transferred his residence to Nakagusuku, becoming the fourth lord of that castle. He engaged in construction efforts renovating or expanding that castle, and established himself there, serving to watch over another local lord, [[Amawari]] of [[Katsuren gusuku]], who had grown powerful and wealthy from maritime trade and who had his eye on the throne<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>. In 1458, however, Amawari reported to the royal government that it was Gosamaru who was planning a revolt<ref name=summit/>, and so the kingdom's forces, led by Amawari, assaulted Nakagusuku. It is said that Gosamaru refused to fight back, out of loyalty to the kingdom, and killed himself rather than betray his loyalties and oppose his king<ref name=jinmei/>. Amawari was executed soon afterwards, his duplicity having been discovered. An alternate theory 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 ''[[Kumi odori]]'' 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]], and has in more recent times become a popular favorite<ref name=summit/>.

The tale of Gosamaru's betrayal and destruction by Amawari is among the more famous and popular of local historical legends. A ''[[Kumi odori]]'' 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]], and has in more recent times become a popular favorite<ref name=summit/>. His grave, located a short walking distance outside of the castle grounds, is sometimes said to be the oldest extant example of [[Okinawan tombs|''kameko'' or "turtle back" tombs]].<ref>"The Nakagusuku Castle," pamphlet available in Nakagusuku.</ref>

==References==

==References==