Katsuren Castle
| Katsuren Castle 勝連城 | |
|---|---|
| Uruma, Okinawa | |
|
Ruins of Katsuren Castle | |
| Type | Gusuku |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |
Aji of Katsuren (13th century-1314) Chūzan (1314-1429) Ryūkyū Kingdom (1429-1879) .svg.png){kind=small} Empire of Japan (1879–1945) United States Military Government of the Ryukyu Islands(1945-1950)United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands(1950-1972) Japan(1972-present) |
| Open to the public | yes |
| Condition | ruins |
| Site history | |
| Built | 13th-14th century |
| Built by | Aji of Katsuren Magiri |
| In use | 13th century-1611 |
| Materials | Ryūkyūan limestone, wood |
| Battles/wars | attacked by Uni-Ufugusuku (1458) |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Aji of Katsuren Magiri, Amawari |
Katsuren Castle (勝連城 Katsuren jō) is a Ryūkyūan gusuku in Uruma, Okinawa. In the Okinawan language the castle is known as Kacchin Gushiku.[1]
History
Katsuren Castle was built on a large hill of Ryukyuan limestone,[2] 98 meters (322 ft) above sea level on the Katsuren Peninsula. With the Pacific Ocean on two sides, it is also called the "Ocean Gusuku". Its "golden age" was in the mid-15th century, under the powerful Aji of Katsuren, Amawari.[1] The castle was attacked in 1458 by the Ryūkyūan army. Precious tile and Chinese porcelain of the era have been excavated from Katsuren. Such remains testify to the magnificence of the ancient structure and the robust entrepôt trade between Japan, Korea, China, and Southeast Asia.[2] The castle also has an active shrine of the Ryūkyūan religion within the first bailey dedicated to Kobazukasa.[3] In the 2010 Okinawa earthquake an outer wall at the northeast of the third bailey of Katsuren Castle was damaged.[4]
Katsuren Castle was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 as part of one of the nine Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.[3] Katsuren Castle was designated an Designated Historical Monument (史跡 Shiseki) by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs in 1972.[5]
In 2016, ancient Roman currency was excavated there. This was the first time that Roman coins were excavated in Japan.[6][7]
Transportation
Katsuren Castle can be reached from the Naha Bus Terminal at Naha Airport via the Number 52 bus route, a ride of 1 hour and 20 minutes from the bus terminal. The castle is a five-minute walk from the Katsuren Danchimae (勝連団地前 Katsuren Danchi-mae) stop. The castle site can also be reached by the Okinawa Expressway via the Okinawa Minami IC.[8]
References
- Motoo, Hinago (1986). Japanese Castles. Tokyo: Kodansha. p. 200 pages. ISBN 0-87011-766-1.
- 1 2 "Katsuren-jō". Nihon Daihyakka Zensho (Nipponika) (日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ) “Large Encyclopedia of Japan (Nipponika)”) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
- 1 2 "Katsuren-gusuku". Nihon Rekishi Chimei Taikei (日本歴史地名大系 "Compendium of Japanese Historical Place Names") (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
- 1 2 http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/972
- ↑ 沖縄本島近海地震世界遺産の城壁が一部崩落勝連城跡(Japanese)
- ↑ 勝連城跡・文部科学省文化庁(Japanese)
- ↑ http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/09/26/national/history/ancient-roman-coins-unearthed-castle-ruins-okinawa/
- ↑ http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/27/luxury/ancient-roman-coins-japan/
- ↑ http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7123.html
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Katsuren Castle. |
- Katsuren Castle Ruins, Uruma City Office Website
- Japan-Guide.com
- The Amawari-Gosamaru dramatic episode that led to the waning of the power of Katsuren gusuku.
Coordinates: 26°19′48″N 127°52′43″E / 26.33000°N 127.87861°E