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Also known as Wii-nu-Aijô ("Upper Grand Gate"), the Shureimon also marks the beginning of [[Aijo-ufumichi|Aijô-ufumichi]], the main boulevard running west from the castle.<ref>Plaques on-site at Aijô-ufumichi.</ref>

Also known as Wii-nu-Aijô ("Upper Grand Gate"), the Shureimon also marks the beginning of [[Aijo-ufumichi|Aijô-ufumichi]], the main boulevard running west from the castle.<ref>Plaques on-site at Aijô-ufumichi.</ref>

Beyond the symbolic Shureimon, the main gate granting entry through the outer walls of the compound is the Kankaimon (歓会門), flanked by two stone ''[[shisa]]'' (lion dogs). Like most of the gates in the walls of Shuri Castle, the Kankaimon consists of a gap in the stone wall, with a wooden structure atop it, with a flared tiled roof. "Kankaimon" can be translated as "Gate of Welcome," a name given to it to better convey a spirit of welcome for visiting envoys of the Chinese Emperor; the Okinawan language name of the gate, ''Amae ujô'' (あまへ御門), has a similar meaning. The Kankaimon was built originally sometime around 1477-1500<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kankaimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>, and was most recently rebuilt or restored in 1974.<ref>Plaques on-site at the Kankaimon.</ref>

Beyond the symbolic Shureimon, the main gate granting entry through the outer walls of the compound is the Kankaimon (歓会門), flanked by two stone ''[[shisa]]'' (lion dogs); if one were to compare its role or function with structures at Japanese castles, it might be compared to an ''omote-mon'' or ''Ôtemon''.<ref name=shuriqa/> Like most of the gates in the walls of Shuri Castle, the Kankaimon consists of a gap in the stone wall, with a wooden structure atop it, with a flared tiled roof. "Kankaimon" can be translated as "Gate of Welcome," a name given to it to better convey a spirit of welcome for visiting envoys of the Chinese Emperor; the Okinawan language name of the gate, ''Amae ujô'' (あまへ御門), has a similar meaning. The Kankaimon was built originally sometime around 1477-1500<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kankaimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>, and was most recently rebuilt or restored in 1974.<ref>Plaques on-site at the Kankaimon.</ref>

A short distance down the wall from the Kankaimon is the Kyûkeimon (久慶門), the women's gate, which is elevated somewhat, and reached by a short staircase. Constructed during the reign of Shô Shin, the Kyûkeimon was also used when the king paid official visits to temples and shrines, or to sites in [[Urasoe]] or further north. Rainwater falling on and around the castle naturally gathered here, at a pair of springs which thus served to supply fresh water to the castle<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kyûkeimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>. Rainwater was also collected in large terracotta pots known as ''tensuigame'' (天水瓷), arranged around the compound.

A short distance down the wall from the Kankaimon is the Kyûkeimon (久慶門), the women's gate, which is elevated somewhat, and reached by a short staircase. Constructed during the reign of Shô Shin, the Kyûkeimon was also used when the king paid official visits to temples and shrines, or to sites in [[Urasoe]] or further north. Rainwater falling on and around the castle naturally gathered here, at a pair of springs which thus served to supply fresh water to the castle<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Kyûkeimon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>. Rainwater was also collected in large terracotta pots known as ''tensuigame'' (天水瓷), arranged around the compound.

An additional external gate, the Bifukumon (美福門), used to face the southeast. There are no known extant photographs of the gate, only a painting by oil painter [[Yamamoto Hosui|Yamamoto Hôsui]] which is believed to depict the gate; Hôsui visited Okinawa in [[1887]], and the gate is believed to have been lost soon afterwards. Excavations on this, and other sections of the site continue, and the gate may be rebuilt someday, along with other parts of the castle compound.<ref>This and seven others of Hôsui's Okinawa paintings are now held by the [[Museum of the Imperial Collections]] (''Sannomaru shôzôkan'') in Tokyo.<br>Takashina Erika 高階絵里加. "''Yamamoto Hôsui no Okinawa hômon ni kansuru shiron''" 山本芳翠の沖縄訪問に関する試論. ''Bijutsushi'' 144:2 (Mar 1998). pp141-142.</ref> Another gate, known as the Suetsugi-ujô 継世門 (J: ''Keisei-mon''), was completed in [[1543]], in conjunction with the expansion of the castle walls.<ref name=shimposhurireki/>

An additional external gate, the Bifukumon (美福門), used to face the southeast. There are no known extant photographs of the gate, only a painting by oil painter [[Yamamoto Hosui|Yamamoto Hôsui]] which is believed to depict the gate; Hôsui visited Okinawa in [[1887]], and the gate is believed to have been lost soon afterwards. Excavations on this, and other sections of the site continue, and the gate may be rebuilt someday, along with other parts of the castle compound.<ref>This and seven others of Hôsui's Okinawa paintings are now held by the [[Museum of the Imperial Collections]] (''Sannomaru shôzôkan'') in Tokyo.<br>Takashina Erika 高階絵里加. "''Yamamoto Hôsui no Okinawa hômon ni kansuru shiron''" 山本芳翠の沖縄訪問に関する試論. ''Bijutsushi'' 144:2 (Mar 1998). pp141-142.</ref>  

 

Another gate, known as the Suetsugi-ujô 継世門 (J: ''Keisei-mon''), was completed in [[1543]], in conjunction with the expansion of the castle walls.<ref name=shimposhurireki/> Also known as the ''Akata gomon'' 赤田御門, this gate at the rear of the complex was used by a crown prince when entering the castle after the death of his predecessor, in order to undertake his succession ceremony in the Yohokori-den 世誇殿. It was also by this gate that [[Sho Tai|Shô Tai]], the last king of Ryûkyû, departed the castle when abdicating the palace to the Japanese in [[1879]].<ref name=shuriqa/>

Upon entering the Kankaimon or Kyûkeimon (both built c. [[1477]]),<ref name=shimposhurireki/> a visitor, official, or royal would next ascend a set of stairs flanked by seven stone tablets of investiture, representing prior kings and the authority of the Throne. Even the king himself would dismount here from his [[palanquin]] and bow before proceeding further into the complex.

Upon entering the Kankaimon or Kyûkeimon (both built c. [[1477]]),<ref name=shimposhurireki/> a visitor, official, or royal would next ascend a set of stairs flanked by seven stone tablets of investiture, representing prior kings and the authority of the Throne. Even the king himself would dismount here from his [[palanquin]] and bow before proceeding further into the complex.

The next gate after the Zuisenmon is the Rôkokumon, or "Water Clock Gate", the final stone gate, which leads to a small plaza where a replica of the famous [[Bridge of Nations Bell]] is today kept inside a small structure called the Tomoya. The Rôkokumon, constructed in the 15th century, was as far as aristocrats came in their palanquins; in respect to the king, they would alight here. As a result, the gate is also known as ''Kagoise ujô'', or "gate where palanquins are placed/left."<ref>Plaque at Rôkokumon.</ref> A tank of water was held in the wooden structure atop the gate; as water leaked out, guards charged with watching the water level determined the time and communicated it by beating a ''[[taiko]]'' drum; guards in the nearby Uekimon would then transmit the message further by ringing a bronze bell<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Rôkokumon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>. A sundial was installed nearby in 1739, and gradually came to replace the water clock<ref>"Shisetsu annai: hieidai." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

The next gate after the Zuisenmon is the Rôkokumon, or "Water Clock Gate", the final stone gate, which leads to a small plaza where a replica of the famous [[Bridge of Nations Bell]] is today kept inside a small structure called the Tomoya. The Rôkokumon, constructed in the 15th century, was as far as aristocrats came in their palanquins; in respect to the king, they would alight here. As a result, the gate is also known as ''Kagoise ujô'', or "gate where palanquins are placed/left."<ref>Plaque at Rôkokumon.</ref> A tank of water was held in the wooden structure atop the gate; as water leaked out, guards charged with watching the water level determined the time and communicated it by beating a ''[[taiko]]'' drum; guards in the nearby Uekimon would then transmit the message further by ringing a bronze bell<ref>"Shisetsu annai: Rôkokumon." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>. A sundial was installed nearby in 1739, and gradually came to replace the water clock<ref>"Shisetsu annai: hieidai." Shuri Castle Park Official Website.</ref>.

===Shicha-nu-Unâ===

===Shicha-nu-Unâ===