| 1．Gusuku | ||||||
| Gusuku (グスク, 城, Okinawan: gushiku)[1] often refers to castles or fortresses in the Ryukyu Islands that feature stone walls. However, the origin and essence of gusuku remain controversial. In the archaeology of Okinawa Prefecture, the Gusuku period refers to an archaeological epoch of the Okinawa Islands that follows the shell-mound period and precedes the Sanzan period, when most gusuku are thought to have been built. Many gusuku and related cultural remains on Okinawa Island have been listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites under the title Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. | ||||||
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| 2．Sashiki Castle | ||||||
| Sashiki Castle (佐敷城, Sashiki jō, Okinawan: Sashichi Gushiku[1]) is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Nanjō, Okinawa.[2] It was built by Shō Shishō[3] and served as the home of the Aji of Sashiki Magiri. During the Taishō era, a Shinto shrine was built over the remains of the main hall. Unlike most gusuku, which are known for high stone walls, the remains of such walls have not been found at Sashiki Castle by archaeologists. | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： late-14th century Buildyear ： Shō Shishō | ||||||
| 3．Ōzato Castle | ||||||
| Ōzato Castle (大里城, Ōzato jō, Okinawan: Ufuzatu Gushiku), officially Shimasoe-Ōzato Castle (島添大里城, Shimasoe-Ōzato jō, Okinawan: Shimashii-Ufuzatu Gushiku), is a Ryukyuan gusuku built in Nanzan and used until 1429. It, and the village of Ōzato, are named after the Ōzato Dynasty of Nanzan. It is in ruins, and is an officially designated historical site in Nanjō City, Okinawa.[1] | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： early 14th century Buildyear ： Ōzato Magiri Aji | ||||||
| 4．Shuri Castle | ||||||
| Shuri Castle (首里城, Shuri-jō, Okinawan: Sui Ugusuku[3]) is a Ryukyuan gusuku castle in Shuri, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Between 1429 and 1879, it was the palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, before becoming largely neglected. In 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, it was almost completely destroyed. After the war, the castle was re-purposed as a university campus. Beginning in 1992, the central citadel and walls were largely reconstructed on the original site based on historical records, photographs, and memory. In 2000, Shuri Castle was designated as a World Heritage Site, as a part of the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. On the morning of 31 October 2019, the main courtyard structures of the castle were again destroyed in a fire.[4] | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： 14th century, first rebuild 1958–1992, second rebuild 2020-present | ||||||
| 5．Mie Castle | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Buildyear ： Shō Sei | ||||||
| 6．Yarazamori Castle | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： 1546 Buildyear ： Shō Sei | ||||||
| 7．Furusutobaru Castle | ||||||
| The site sits on a ridge overlooking Miyara Bay. There are 15 walled enclosures, a few of which have been excavated.[3] Finds include local pottery, white porcelain and celadon from China, and the bones of horses and cows.[4][5] | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku | ||||||
| 8．Urasoe Castle | ||||||
| Urasoe Castle (浦添城, Urasoe jō, Okinawan: Urashii Gushiku[1]) is a Ryukyuan gusuku which served as the capital of the medieval Okinawan principality of Chūzan prior to the unification of the island into the Ryukyu Kingdom, and the moving of the capital to Shuri. In the 14th century, Urasoe was the largest castle on the island, but today only ruins remain. | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： late 13th – early 14th century; later expanded and refurbished | ||||||
| 9．Nago Castle | ||||||
| 26°35′15″N 127°58′45″E / 26.5875758°N 127.9792328°E / 26.5875758; 127.9792328 Nago Castle (名護城, Nago jō, Okinawan: Nagu gushiku) is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Nago, Okinawa.[1] It was built in the 14th century and served as the home of the Aji of Nago Magiri. In 1416, the army of Chūzan, led by Shō Hashi, attacked and captured the castle during the invasion of Hokuzan. | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： early 14th century | ||||||
| 10．Nanzan Castle | ||||||
| Nanzan Castle (南山城, Nanzan jō, Okinawan: Nanzan Gushiku), officially Shimajiri-Ōzato Castle (島尻大里城, Shimajiri-Ōzato jō, Okinawan: Shimajiri-Ufuzatu Gushiku), is a Ryūkyūan gusuku and was the largest in, and capital of, Nanzan until 1429. It is in ruins, and is located in Itoman. Nanzan Castle was built in the early 14th century, and became capital of Nanzan in 1314 when the Lord of Ōzato, Ōzato Ofusato, broke away from the chieftain Tamagusuku at Urasoe Castle.[1] It sat on a hill near the fishing town of Itoman and the farming village of Ōzato. There was a small inlet at the bottom of the hill that allowed merchant ships to trade directly with the castle.[2] The strategic location of the castle allowed Nanzan to compete with Chūzan and outlive Hokuzan, but during a succession dispute in 1429 following the death of the last King of Nanzan, Ōzato Taromai, the army of Chūzan captured the castle.[2] In the 1950s, a primary school was built within the inner court of the castle.[2] | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： early 14th century Buildyear ： Ōzato family | ||||||
| 11．Gushikawa Castle (Itoman) | ||||||
| Gushikawa Castle (具志川城, Gushikawa jō, Okinawan: Gushichan Gushiku) is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Itoman, Okinawa.[1] [2] [3] | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku | ||||||
| 12．Agena Castle | ||||||
| Agena Castle (安慶名城, Agena jō, Okinawan: Agina Gushiku[1] or Aginaa Gushiku[2]) is a Ryukyuan gusuku located in the north of Agena district of Uruma, Okinawa, in former Gushikawa City. It was built on a base of Ryukyuan limestone and occupies 8,000 square metres (86,000 sq ft). Agena Castle sits at an altitude of 49 metres (161 ft), and is naturally protected by the Tengan River to the north.[3] | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： early 14th century Buildyear ： Ōgawa Aji | ||||||
| 13．Iha Castle | ||||||
| Iha Castle (伊波城, Iha jō, Okinawan: Ifa Gushiku[1]) is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Uruma, Okinawa. It sits on a cliff that separates Iha from Ishikawa, with a grand view of the Ishikawa Isthmus. The castle is in ruins, with nothing left of the original structures save the walls. There are also multiple Ryukyuan shrines in the bailey. Based on artifacts found in and around the castle, it has been estimated to have been in use around the 13th to 15th centuries.[2] The Okinawa Prefectural government erected a stone Torii in front of one of the castle gates, along with a plaque describing it. | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： early 14th century | ||||||
| 14．Katsuren Castle | ||||||
| Katsuren Castle (勝連城, Katsuren jō, Okinawan: Kacchin Gushiku[1]) is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Uruma, Okinawa. In 2000, Katsuren Castle was designated as a World Heritage Site, as a part of the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.[2] | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： 13th-14th century Buildyear ： Aji of Katsuren Magiri | ||||||
| 15．Kyan Castle | ||||||
| Kyan Castle (喜屋武城, Kyan jō, Okinawan: Chan Gushiku[1]) is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Uruma, Okinawa. It was controlled by the Ōgawa Aji of Agena Castle until it was destroyed by the Ryukyu Kingdom.[2] | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Buildyear ： Fourth son of Ōgawa Aji | ||||||
| 16．Tamagusuku Castle | ||||||
| Tamagusuku Castle (玉城城, Tamagusuku jō, Okinawan: Tamagushiku[1]) is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Nanjō, Okinawa. It is the oldest castle on Okinawa; Chūzan Seikan says it was built by Amamikyu, the creation goddess of the Ryukyuan religion. It was the home of the Aji of Tamagusuku Magiri. It is located about 700 meters north of Tamagusuku village. The castle is almost a complete ruin and is visited as a sacred grove | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： pre-14th century | ||||||
| 17．Chinen Castle | ||||||
| Chinen Castle (知念城, Chinen jō, Okinawan: Chinin Gushiku) is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Nanjō, Okinawa. It is the second oldest castle in the Ryukyu Islands. The ruins consist of the old castle to the east being made out of rock and the other newer castle to the west being made out of ashlar masonry.[1] Before the Sanzan Period, the "King of the Ryukyu Islands" and the chief priestess would make a pilgrimage to Chinen Castle. The castle was the home of the Aji of Chinen Magiri. The new castle was built[2] under Shō Shin who reigned from 1477 to 1526. In 1972 the ruins of Chinen Castle were designated as a National Historic Site.[3] | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku | ||||||
| 18．Itokazu Castle | ||||||
| Itokazu Castle (糸数城, Itokazu jō, Okinawan: Ichukaji Gushiku) is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Nanjō, Okinawa. It was built with Ryūkyūan limestone in the mid-14th century. It is now in ruins.[1] The castle was built in the Gusuku Period of Ryukyuan history. It was the home of the Aji of Tamagusuku Magiri. After Nanzan was conquered in 1429 by Shō Hashi, it came under the control of the Ryukyu Kingdom. | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： Mid-14th century | ||||||
| 19．Kakinohana Castle | ||||||
| Kakinohana Castle (垣花城, Kakinohana jō, Okinawan: Kachinuhana Gushiku) is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Nanjō, Okinawa. Kakinohana Castle is a kuruwa[1] style fortification on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The stone walls are built in the nozura[1] (stacked stone) style. No accurate details of the construction of this castle exist, but legend states it that it was built by the second son of Minton Aji, an Okinawan ruler around the 14th century.[2] | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku | ||||||
| 20．Nakijin Castle | ||||||
| Nakijin Castle (今帰仁城, Nakijin Gusuku, Kunigami: Nachijin Gushiiku, Okinawan: Nachijin Gushiku) is a Ryukyuan gusuku located in Nakijin, Okinawa. It is currently in ruins. In the late 14th century, the island of Okinawa consisted of three principalities: Nanzan to the south, Chūzan in the central area, and Hokuzan in the north. Nakijin was the capital of Hokuzan. The fortress includes several sacred Utaki groves, reflecting the castle's role as a center of religious activity. It is today known for the Hikan cherries which bloom in northern Okinawa between mid-January and early February, providing the first cherry blossoms each year in Japan. In 2000, Nakijin Castle was designated as a World Heritage Site, as a part of the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： early 14th century Buildyear ： Haniji | ||||||
| 21．Yamada Castle | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： 13th century | ||||||
| 22．Zakimi Castle | ||||||
| Zakimi Castle (座喜味城, Zakimi jō, Okinawan: Zachimi Gushiku[1]) is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Yomitan, Okinawa. It is in ruins, but the walls and foundations have been restored. In 2000, Zakimi Castle was designated as a World Heritage Site, as a part of the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： 1416-1422 Buildyear ： Gosamaru | ||||||
| 23．Nakagusuku Castle | ||||||
| Nakagusuku Castle (中城城, Nakagusuku jō, Okinawan: Nakagushiku) is a gusuku in the village of Kitanakagusuku, Okinawa, Japan. It is one of a number of castles built on the island of Okinawa by the Ryukyu Kingdom now in ruins. | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： around 1440 Buildyear ： Gosamaru | ||||||
| 24．Izena Castle | ||||||
| Izena Castle (伊是名城, Izena-jo, Okinawan: Ijina Gushiku[1]) is a Ryūkyūan gusuku on Izena Island. It was built around the 14th century by Samekawa, son of the Yogura Chief of Iheya Island. It is built over a limestone outcrop about 100 metres (330 ft) above sea level on the south eastern side of the island.[2] The castle has three sides which are near vertical cliffs; the south, west and east faces of the castle are rock cliffs, while the northern side provides entry to the castle through a series of steps cut into the hill. There are several chambers in the castle which are separated by walls, built with piled-up pieces of Ryūkyūan limestone, 3 metres (9.8 ft) in height.[2] The chambers have many sacred relics such as utaki (holy enclosures of the Ryūkyūan religion) and also celadons, Sueki wares, and other important objects, which are also seen in other gusuku sites. King Shō Shin built Izena Tamaudun near the castle. | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： early 14th century Buildyear ： Samekawa | ||||||
| 25．Uegusuku Castle (Kume) | ||||||
| Uegusuku Castle (宇江城城, Uegusuku jō, Okinawan: Wiigushiku[1]) is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Kumejima, Okinawa, on Kume Island.[2] It was the home to the Aji of Kume Magiri before the 16th century.[3] It is now a ruined castle. | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： 15th century | ||||||
| 26．Gushikawa Castle (Kume) | ||||||
| Gushikawa Castle (具志川城, Gushikawa jō, Okinawan: Gushichaa Gushiku[1]) is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Kumejima, Okinawa, on Kume Island. It was built in the 15th century. The Miifugaa rock formation can be seen from the castle.[2] | ||||||
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| Type： Gusuku Builder ： 15th century |