Changes

Low stone walls and post-holes indicate the original form of the castle, constructed in the late 13th century, possibly by King Eiso, who was born at [[Iso gusuku]], and who is also credited with the construction of the royal tombs at Urasoe yôdore and the temple of Gokuraku-ji. During the reign of King [[Satto]] a century later, the castle was expanded, and came to encompass what is today labeled the ''kogusuku''. Korean roof tiles were used in the expansions and construction at this time.<ref name=kitahara/>

Low stone walls and post-holes indicate the original form of the castle, constructed in the late 13th century, possibly by King Eiso, who was born at [[Iso gusuku]], and who is also credited with the construction of the royal tombs at Urasoe yôdore and the temple of Gokuraku-ji. During the reign of King [[Satto]] a century later, the castle was expanded, and came to encompass what is today labeled the ''kogusuku''. Korean roof tiles were used in the expansions and construction at this time.<ref name=kitahara/>

King [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]], who united Okinawa, founded the Kingdom of Ryûkyû, and moved the capital to Shuri in the 1420s, left Urasoe castle to ruin.<ref name=kitahara/> Significant portions of the castle were taken away to aid in the construction of Shuri castle. Shô Iko, the son of King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]], took up residence there, however, in 1509. Finding it largely in ruins, he oversaw its refurbishment, and it is believed he moved the residential section of the castle from the ''kogusuku'' to the ''migusuku'' at this time.

It is unclear whether Satto then relocated the capital to [[Shuri]], building [[Shuri castle]] by [[1372]] or [[1392]], or whether it was not until the reign of King [[Sho Hashi|Shô Hashi]] in the 1420s, that this took place.<ref>Interview with Matayoshi Shinzô 又吉真三, "Shurijô ha Ryûkyû kenchiku bunka no shûtaisei" 首里城は琉球建築文化の集大成, ''Shurijô fukugen charity tokubetsu kôen'' 首里城復元チャリティ特別公演 (Naha: Kudaka Shôkichi geinô kikaku 久高将吉芸能企画, 1987), 104-105.</ref> In any case, in most accounts Urasoe castle was simply abandoned to ruin.<ref name=kitahara/> Significant portions of the castle were taken away to aid in the construction of Shuri castle. Shô Iko, the son of King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]], took up residence there, however, in 1509. Finding it largely in ruins, he oversaw its refurbishment, and it is believed he moved the residential section of the castle from the ''kogusuku'' to the ''migusuku'' at this time.

The castle was burned and destroyed in the [[1609]] [[invasion of Ryukyu]] by [[Satsuma han|Satsuma]], along with the Ryûfuku-ji temple which sat below it on the hillside.

The castle was burned and destroyed in the [[1609]] [[invasion of Ryukyu]] by [[Satsuma han|Satsuma]], along with the Ryûfuku-ji temple which sat below it on the hillside.