Shuri Castle served as the political and cultural center of the Ryukyu Kingdom from the 15th to 19th centuries. The stone walls were rounded rather than angular, reflecting Ryukyu's inclusive culture developed through trade. Women played an important role in prayer. Dragons, phoenixes, and other symbols reflected Chinese influences but took on new meanings. Traditional arts like Bingata dyeing and Ryukyu cuisine blended local, Chinese, and Japanese influences. Shuri Castle was destroyed in WWII but reconstructed to its former glory in 1992.

1. Shuri Castle and Ryukyu Dynasty
- Feminine Character Seen in Stone Walls, Symbolic Meaning
of Dragon, and Culture of Fusion -

2. History of Okinawa
12th c Ajis (military leaders) gained power, and built Gusukus throughout today’s Okinawa
14th c Sanzan period (three military leaders: Hokuzan, Chuzan, Nanzan)
1372 Chuzan became China’s subordinate (Sappo), and thrived through trading with China
1429 Shohashi governed Sanzan, and Ryukyu Dynasty started.
Became hub for South-east Asian trading. Nurtured original culture influenced by China/Japan.
Men in charge of politics, and women prayer.
1609 Satsuma invaded Ryukyu. Doubly governed by China and Satsuma.
1879 Ryukyu abolished by Meiji Government.
1945 World War Ⅱ
1972 Okinwa returned to Japan
1992 Shuri Castle restored
2000 Registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site

3. What is Gusuku?
-5 Gusukus registered as World Heritage.
-More than 200 Gusukus in Okinawa (Some are just piled up natural stones)
-Naturally started as ”Place for Prayer”.
-Only powerful leader’s gusuku became fortress with military functions.
 Prayer, first. Military purpose, second.

4. History of Shuri Castle
14thend Built
1429 Shohashi started to live. Center of Ryukyu Dynasty
1879 Abolished by Meiji Government. Historic structures deteriorated.
1925 Seiden, man building, destinated as building under special protection (特別
保護建造物). Took 5 years for repair.
1945 Destroyed in the war
1972 Okinawa returned to Japan
1985 Investigation for reconstruction started
1986 Design of Seiden started.
(No computers. More than 100 dwgs all by hands. 3yrs for Seiden design.）
1992 Shuri castle restored.

5. Seiden (Main Building)
Una (plaza)
→ Welcome VIPs from China
(冊封使)
→ Ceremonies and rituals
Main building
→ Similar to Forbidden City
(紫禁城) in China
→ Similar to Buddhist temple

6. Stone Walls at Shuri: Round (≠Angular)

7. Stone Walls at Shuri: Round (≠Angular)

8. Stone Walls at Shuri: Round (≠Angular)

9. Stone Walls at Osaka Castle: Angular (≠Circular)

10. Stone Walls at Edo Castle (Imperial Palace 皇居):
Angular (≠Circular)

11. Circular vs. Angular
Separation (分離) vs. Inclusiveness (内包),
Trading & Communication (貿易/交流) vs. Isolation policy (鎖国）
Ryukyu economically developed through trading with China and
South-east Asian countries
Vs.
Edo protected themselves by isolation (鎖国政策)
Ryukyu respected womens’ role for prayer (祈りは女性の役割)
Vs.
Edo treated women as political tool for political marriage
(政略結婚)

12. Dragons in Shuri Castle
• Influenced by China
• Influenced by Buddhism
• Ah and Un (あ・うん)
• 33 dragons in Seiden
( Any relation with
Kannon Bodhisattva?
Need further research)

13. Dragon Statues
Symbolic meaning in China:
Emperor
Guardian of the country
God of water
Symbolic meaning in Japan:
God of water
People fear fire in Japan.
Dragon drawings often seen
on the ceilings at temples.

14. Bingata
<Design>
Typically Chinese: Dragon, Phoenix (龍・鳳凰）
Typically Japanese: Cherry tree, iris, pine tree (桜・菖蒲・松)
＜Dying material: local stones and plants＞
Typically Okinawan: Vivid colors (red, purple, indigo, yellow, green)

15. Ryukyu Dishes
“Start from pork, and end with pork.”  Cows can be used as labor. Better to let them live.
Pork is ingredients easy to get and well-accepted by Chinese VIPs.
Since 14th c: VIPs from China (冊封史) (about 500 people/one time)
Since 17th c: Satsuma officers stayed in Ryuku (薩摩在番所)
Fusion of Chinese and Japanese cuisines, using local tropical ingredients (亜熱帯の食材)
Even Ryukyu chefs studied abroad in China to study cooking.