Gusuku Sites and Related
Properties
of the Kingdom of Ryukyu (2000)
Japan
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Five hundred years of Ryukyuan history (12th-17th century) are represented by
this group of sites and monuments. The ruins of the castles, on imposing
elevated sites, are evidence for the social structure over much of that period,
while the sacred sites provide mute testimony to the rare survival of an ancient
form of religion into the modern age. The wide-ranging economic and cultural
contacts of the Ryukyu Islands over that period gave rise to a unique culture.
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The Kingdom of Ryukyu -- more commonly known as Okinawa -- historically at
the center of the trading routes between China and Japan thrived for centuries
and over time produced its own distinctive culture. The ruins of the castles and
their walls today tell of an intriguing Ryukyu culture that once reigned
unchallenged.
Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu are the
ruins and cultural properties produced between the late 14th and 18th
centuries when the Kingdom of Ryukyu was at the height of its existence.
Shuri-jo Castle is located in the eastern part of the city of Naha, Okinawa
Prefecture and was the center of the Kingdom of Ryukyu in 1492, (the year
Columbus traveled to America) when Lord Shohashi unified the island
kingdom.
At the time the kingdom was prospering due to trade links with China, Japan,
and other Southeast Asian nations, especially so under the king Shoshin who
himself ascended the throne in 1477.
Outer baileys were added to the northern part of Shuri Castle. The Seiden
(main building of the palace) which housed a throne room was adorned by Chinese
stone guardian statues and Ryutsyu (dragon-shaped columns) giving it a somewhat
regal air for the time.
- Japan 2002. Souvenir sheet. Gusuku Sites and the Kingdom of Ryukyu.
Each of the stamps are shown below in close-ups.
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Shoshin continued to rule the kingdom for half a century and in the process
established the golden age of the Kingdom of Ryukyu with the ruins of his castle
reminding us of the age in which he lived and the nation he helped give birth
to.
- Japan 2002. Kingdom of Ryukyu.
- Stone lion of the royal mausoleum of the second Shou dynasty.
- Stone gate to the Sonohyan'utaki sanctuary.
- Ruins of Nakijinjou castle and Hikan cherry blossoms.
- Stone gate of the ruins of Zakimijou castle.
- Ruins of Katsurenjou castle walls.
In the justification for inscription, the UNESCO states that for several centuries the Ryukyu islands served as a centre of
economic and cultural interchange between south-east Asia, China, Korea, and
Japan, and this is vividly demonstrated by the surviving monuments.
- Japan 2002. Kingdom of Ryukyu.
- Ruins of Nakagusukujou castle second citadel.
- "Kankaimon," the main gate of Shurijou castle.
- The main hall of Shurijou castle.
- "Shikina'en," the royal garden.
- Seifautaki sanctuary.
The culture of the Ryukyuan Kingdom evolved and flourished in a special
political and economic environment, which gave its culture a unique quality. The Ryukyu sacred sites constitute an exceptional example of an
indigenous form of nature and ancestor worship which has survived intact into
the modern age alongside other established world religions.
Sources and links:
Other World Heritage Sites in Japan (on this site). Please refer to the UNESCO-listing,
section Japan for further information about the individual
properties.
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Revised 21 jul 2006
Copyright © 1999 Heindorffhus
All Rights Reserved
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