Okinawa blends styles of Japan, China

Embracing World Heritage By Yosuke Sakurai

Two Seiden at Shuri Castle in Naha.

The ruins of Nakagusuku Castle in Kitanakagusukuson

Gusuku (castles) sites and related properties of Ryukyu Kingdom

In subtropical Okinawa Prefecture, there are historic sites that blend the cultural influences of China and Japan with distinctive Ryukyuan architectural characteristics--influences derived from early trade relations between the two nations.

One of the most popular tourist destinations is Shuri Castle in Naha.

Built in the late 14th century, the castle was the royal seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom for 500 years.

The castle is located at the highest point of the Shuri hills. Its original size is not clear, but it is known to have been built on the grounds of an earlier castle by Sho Hashi, founder of the first Sho dynasty. Sho unified three kingdoms in 1429 to establish the Ryukyu Kingdom.

The Seiden, or main hall, was the largest wooden structure in the Ryukyu Kingdom.

The castle was razed during the Battle of Okinawa at the end of World War II and was restored in November 1992.

The restored castle is a three-story wooden structure with a red tile and thatched roof.

In the prefecture, there are nine places that were designated as World Heritage sites in December 2000. They include the ruins of five castles, including Shuri Castle, and Shikinaen garden, Sonohyan-utaki stone gate, Tamaudun--the royal mausoleum of the second Sho dynasty, and Sefa-utaki, a rock opening.

Shikinaen is a garden located in the Maji district of Naha, 1! kilometers from Shuri Castle. As the king's second residence, the building was used for relaxation of the Ryuku royal family, and for entertaining envoys.

Built in 1799, the garden consists of an artificial pond in the center, surrounded by structures; such as the Udun Palace, a wooden house with a red tile roof built in a formal style that was restricted to courtiers Rokkakudo, a hexagonal Chinese-style building; and Kankodai, a stone monument that was built in memory of Lin Konen, chief of the Chinese delegates who came to Okinawa in 1838 for the coronation of King Sho Iku.

This garden was also destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa. Restoration work began in 1975 and took about 20 years.

In the prefecture, many altars are surrounded by natural rocks and openings. Entering the triangle-shaped opening in Sefa-utaki in Chinenson, visitors can see an altar in front, and on the right lies another, called, chonohana. An altar with the same name is located at Shuri Castle. On the left is a spectacular view of Kudaka Island and the Pacific Ocean.

On the right side of the triangle-shaped opening, visitors can see an area called the Kifujin-sama oyasumidokoro (the resting place of the goddess Kifujin), and two stalactites. Water dripping from the stalactites into pots placed below and is considered holy. The holy water was used to tell the fortunes of Kikoe Ogimi, (the highest-ranking priestess) and Nakagusuku Udun, the king's son, as well as for an offering during rituals held on New Year's Day.

One of the castle ruins that is designated as a World Heritage Site is Nakagusuku Castle in Kitanakagusukuson. Its steep slopes and jagged cliffs are a natural location for a castle. Of the approximately 300 castle ruins found in the prefecture, the ruins of this castle are one of the best preserved. Standing on its stone walls, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean to the east and the East China Sea to the west.

The castle is believed to have been constructed in the first half of the 15th century by Lord Gosamaru. However, recent studies have raised the theory that Gosamaru's predecessor may have been the first to lay the foundations of the castle.