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Okinawa |
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The most famous construction in Okinawa may be "Shurei-mon Gate". Originally built circa 1527-1555, and was destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa. It was restored in 1958 as one of the first structures in Shuri-jo Castle to be rebuilt.
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displays a plaque inscribed "Shurei-no-kuni", which means that the Ryukyus is a "Land of propriety". |
| The exchanges between China and the Ryukyus began in 1372 and continued for about 500 years or until the establishment of Okinawa Prefecture in 1897. When there was a succession of the king in the Ryukyu Kingdom, the emperor of China dispatched envoys to perform investiture ceremonies at Shuri-jo Castle. A plaque inscribed "Shurei-no-kuni" was displayed for investiture. |
You have to pass through 5 gates to Shuri-jo. "Kankai-mon Gate", the main gate, is located at the western wall. "Rokoku-mon Gate" is the third gate, its means is a water clock. A water clock was installed in the turret measure time, and a drum was struck to signal the time of the day.
Right : "Zuisen-mon Gate" , Left : "Rokoku-mon Gate" |
Sundial |
The sundial is located just pass the "Rokoku-mon Gate". In ancient times, it was placed here for to supplement the water clock. It was reportedly first installed in 1739. |
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Suimui-utaki is a site of worship, located in front of the castle wall. According to the mythology of the Ryukyus, the sacred site was created by the hands of god. |
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From 1429 to 1879, Shuri-jo served as the castle of the Ryukyu kingdom. The castle flourished as the center of Ryukyu politics, diplomacy and culture. Excavation efforts have revealed that Shuri-jo was constructed at the end of the 14th century. The castle is surrounded by both inner and outer walls that are made from interlocking blocks of coral limestone, stretching a total length of 1,080 meters.
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Seiden and Una |
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Within the castle are the Seiden, Hokuden and Nanden halls that encompass the state court area known as Una, where the governmental affairs and rites for international courtesies were performed.
Shuri-jo castle was burned down on four occasions, including during the Battle of Okinawa. The entire castle has been undergoing reconstruction since 1972. |
Admission Fee : Adult 800 yen , Student (High School) 600 yen, Child 300 yen
| The administrative organization of the Ryukyu Kingdom was comprised of the Shuri Royal Government. It was headed by the king with a regent and three prime ministers with variously named civic offices under them. |
Gateman wore a red hat |
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| Illustrated is the administrative organization of the Ryukyu Kingdom with corresponding color of the hats worn by the different court ranks. |
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Tama-u-dun was built in 1501 to re-entomb the remains of father King Sho En by King Sho Shin and has become the Royal Mausoleum of the second Sho dynasty.
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The tomb cosists of three rooms, the enter room was for placing the remains before washing the bones; the east room was originally for the Kings and queens; the west room; according to the inscription on the stone monument in the front court, was for the rest of the family members. The entire tomb displays an architectural style of the royal palace of that time, a stone building with wooden roof. |
Admission Fee : Adult 200 yen , Child ( Grades 1-9 ) 100 yen
Admission Fee : Adult 300 yen , Child ( Grades 1-9 ) 100 yen
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