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The Kôfukumon, a large, vermillion wooden structure leads finally into the ''shicha-nu-unâ'' (下之御庭), an area equivalent to what would be called the second bailey in English or ''ni-no-maru'' in a Japanese castle. The offices of the ''jishaza'' (寺社座), which oversaw Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, and the ''ôkumiza'' (大与座) which mediated disputes between aristocrats, were housed here<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kôfukumon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

The Kôfukumon, a large, vermillion wooden structure leads finally into the ''shicha-nu-unâ'' (下之御庭), an area equivalent to what would be called the second bailey in English or ''ni-no-maru'' in a Japanese castle. The offices of the ''jishaza'' (寺社座), which oversaw Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, and the ''ôkumiza'' (大与座) which mediated disputes between aristocrats, were housed here<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kôfukumon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

The ''shicha-nu-unâ'' contains the　"Shuri forest ''[[utaki]]''", or [[Suimui utaki]], a sacred grove surrounded by its own low stone walls, which features in myths about the origins of the kingdom, and appears numerous times in the ''[[Omoro Soshi|Omoro Sôshi]]'', a collection of Okinawan myths in the form of songs or poems. Another important sacred site related to the origins of the castle and the kingdom, the ''kyô-no-uchi'' (京之内), is located along the southern wall of the ''shicha-nu-unâ''. Here, the high priestess (''[[kikoe-ogimi|kikoe-ôgimi]]'') performed rituals to pray for the prosperity of the kingdom, safety for important sea voyages, good harvests and the like on behalf of the king and kingdom<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kyô no uchi." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

The ''shicha-nu-unâ'' contains the "Shuri forest ''[[utaki]]''", or [[Suimui utaki]], a sacred grove surrounded by its own low stone walls, which features in myths about the origins of the kingdom, and appears numerous times in the ''[[Omoro Soshi|Omoro Sôshi]]'', a collection of Okinawan myths in the form of songs or poems. Another important sacred site related to the origins of the castle and the kingdom, the ''kyô-no-uchi'' (京之内), is located along the southern wall of the ''shicha-nu-unâ''. Here, the high priestess (''[[kikoe-ogimi|kikoe-ôgimi]]'') performed rituals to pray for the prosperity of the kingdom, safety for important sea voyages, good harvests and the like on behalf of the king and kingdom<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kyô no uchi." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

The ''keizuza'' (系図座) and ''yômotsuza'' (用物座) were also located in the ''shicha-nu-una''. These two offices handled, respectively, aristocrats' official geneologies, and supplies for the castle<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Keizusa / Yômotsuza." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

The ''keizuza'' (系図座) and ''yômotsuza'' (用物座) were also located in the ''shicha-nu-una''. These two offices handled, respectively, aristocrats' official geneologies, and supplies for the castle<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Keizusa / Yômotsuza." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.