Ōzato Castle
| Ōzato Castle 島添大里城 | |
|---|---|
| Nanjō, Okinawa | |
Ruins in February 2023 | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Gusuku |
| Open to the public | yes |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Location | |
Ōzato Castle 島添大里城 Ōzato Castle Ōzato Castle 島添大里城 Ōzato Castle 島添大里城 (Japan) | |
| Coordinates | 26°11′11.76″N 127°45′36.51″E / 26.1866000°N 127.7601417°E |
| Site history | |
| Built | early 14th century |
| Built by | Ōzato Magiri Aji |
| In use | early 14th century – 1429 |
| Materials | Ryukyuan limestone, wood |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Aji of Ōzato Magiri |
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 Ryūkyūan gusuku fortification located in the Ōzato neighborhood of the city of Nanzan and used until 1429.[1]It has been protected by the central government as a National Historic Site since 2012.[2]
History
Located near the southern tip of Okinawa Island's east coast, the castle is located at the eastern end of a tongue-shaped Ryūkyū limestone hill about 150 meters above sea level, with steep cliffs from north-to-west. The castle measures approximately 210 meters north-to-south and 270 meters east-to-west and is surrounded by double walls. The inner wall is approximately six meters high and approximately 175 meters long. The outer wall's stonework remains to the west and northeast of the castle ruins, and remains of the main hall with its foundation stone have been confirmed. While the year of construction is unknown, it was originally built by Shimajiri-Ōzato Aji, Ōzato Ofusato, broke away from the chieftain Tamagusuku at Urasoe Castle in 1314 and who proclaimed himself the King of Nanzan.[3] During the Sanzan period the castle served as a secondary castle of Nanzan Castle.[4] It fell into disuse after the capture of Nanzan Castle in 1429.
However, it was captured by Shō Hashi, who was based in Sashiki Gusuku, in 1402 and subsequently came under the sphere of influence of the First Shō Dynasty. During the Shō Dynasty, it was used as a detached palace until at least the mid-15th century, and in contemporary accounts it was a palace comparable to Shuri Castle. In 1683, a Qing dynasty investiture envoy visited the by then abandoned Ōzato Castle. [3]
During the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, a military camp was established within the castle, and the castle walls were repurposed for building materials. Combined with attacks by the U.S. military, the castle suffered significant damage. After the war, most of the ruins were lost as they were used for reconstruction materials. In 1961, materials were donated by the U.S. military to build an observation deck and concrete roads as part of a park project. Archaeological excavations began in 1990, and Chinese ceramics, metal products, and ornaments have also been excavated, showing the extensive trade that Nanzan had done with Ming China.
The castle site is about a 30-minute drive from Naha Airport.[3]
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Castle yard
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Well
See also
References
- ^ Tokumori, Lima, and Mark Ealey. "Cultural Affairs Council Recommends Two Okinawan Sites to Minister of MEXT." Ryukyu Shimpo [Naha] 19 November 2011: n. pag. Ryukyu Shimpo. Web. 13 January 2014.
- ^ "島添大里城". Cultural Heritage Online (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
- ^ a b c Isomura, Yukio; Sakai, Hideya (2012). (国指定史跡事典) National Historic Site Encyclopedia. 学生社. ISBN 978-4311750403.(in Japanese)
- ^ "南城なび｜Nanjo Navigator～南城市 観光・文化情報サイト". nanjo-navi.jp. Retrieved 13 August 2018.