| Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu * | |
|---|---|
| Country | Japan |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iii, vi |
| Reference | 972 |
| Region ** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2000 (24th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List ** Region as classified by UNESCO |
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The Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu is an UNESCO World Heritage Site which consists of nine sites all located in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The heritage sites include two groves or utaki, the mausoleum Tamaudun, one garden, and five gusuku castles sites, most of which are ruins. The sites were inscribed on the criteria that they were a fine representation of the Ryūkyū Kingdom's culture, whose unique blend of Japanese and Chinese influence made it a crucial economic and cultural junction between several neighboring states.[1][2]
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The Gusuku started to be constructed throughout the islands at the end of the shell-mound period and heralded the Gusuku period[3] and the rise of Aji Chieftains at the approach of the 12th century. During this period, people who had been living in coastlines along low-lying areas had moved to higher ground to build villages inland. Agriculture--such as paddy rice, wheat and millet--was developed further during this period. Groves called utaki were constructed within these villages to serve as sacred grounds for praying to guardian spirits of cultivation. Overseas trading was also opened when the Ryukyu Islands began to create a common culture. The existence of Sueki ware and Chinese ceramics excavated in the Amami Islands region is considered as strong evidence of its cultural development. At the beginning of the 13th century, a steady rise in the interests of the villages saw the emergence of chieftains who were called Aji or Anji and who occupied political positions within these villages. The aji mainly oversaw taxes and conducted religious rites. Trade became more developed and allowed the ajis to increase possession of good harbors in Urasoe, Yomitan, Nakagusuku, Katsuren, Sashiki and Nakijin.
The Sanzan kingdoms were formed when the regional aji dealt with struggles to defend their domains as their powers increased. The Ryukyus[4] were divided into 3 kingdoms, the Hokuzan in the north which was situated at Nakijin Gusuku, the Chuzan in the central area which was in Urasoe Gusuku, and Nanzan in the south which was in Shimajiri Ozato. The Eiso Dynasty who came to power in the central Chuzan Kingdom declined during the rise of fourth king Tamagusuku and fifth king Seii. In 1350, Satto ascended to the Chuzan throne where he reigned for 56 years. A legend[5] circulated at this time where it is said that in Urasoe there lived a poor farmer by the name of Okumaufuya. One day he was walking down a road going home, he stopped in the springs of Mori-no-kawa to wash his hands, there he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath in the springs. Okuma immediately hid the woman's clothes and approached her, as it turned out the woman was a celestial maiden. The woman searched for her clothes but Okuma did not say a word that he had hid them, the woman in despair was accompanied her to his house. A couple of years passed and the woman and Okuma had children, a girl and a boy[6] they named Janamoi. One day, the older sister was singing her little brother to sleep with a song about the celestial robe of her mother kept in the outhouse. Their mother heard this and regained her robe this led to the woman saying goodbye to her family. The story suggests that Janamoi grew up to become King Satto.
A significant change in status for the period happened in 1609[7] with the invasion of the Ryukyus by the Satsuma-han of Japan. At this time Satsuma took control of the Ryukyus and placed the northern islands of Amami under direct Satsuma rule. Before this time the Sho dynasty had previously governed over the Ryukyu Kingdom.
The world heritage site Gusuku and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu[8][9] represents more than 500 years[10][11] of Ryukyu history specifically from the 12th to the 17th century in Japan. Unesco declared it as a world heritage on November 30, 2000 along with 60 other sites. It has passed 3 of the 10 criteria[12][13] set by UNESCO namely the way it exhibits the importance of human values over a span of time (Criteria ii), in this case it’s more than 500 years of cultural and ethnic history. The site has also shown exceptional cultural tradition to a civilization which has disappeared (Criteria iii). And finally the site has been regarded for tangibly linking events and traditions with ideals and beliefs with literary and artistic works (Criteria vi).
| Name | Type | Location | Picture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamaudun (玉陵 Tamaudun) | Mausoleum | Naha-shi, Okinawa-ken | |
| Sonohyan-utaki Ishimon (園比屋武御嶽石門 Sonohyan-utaki Ishimon, Okinawan: Sunuhwan-utaki) | Stone gate at utaki | Naha-shi, Okinawa-ken | |
| Nakijin Castle Site (今帰仁城跡 Nakijin-jō ato, Okinawan: Nachizin Gusiku) | Gusuku ruins | Nakijin-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa-ken | |
| Zakimi Castle Site (座喜味城跡 Zakimi-jō ato, Okinawan: Zachimi Gusiku) | Gusuku ruins | Yomitan-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa-ken | |
| Katsuren Castle Site (勝連城跡跡 Katsuren-jō ato, Okinawan: Kacchin Gusiku) | Gusuku ruins | Uruma-shi, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa-ken | |
| Nakagusuku Castle Site (中城城跡 Nakagusuku-jō ato, Okinawan: Nakagusiku Gusiku) | Gusuku ruins | Nakagusuku-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa-ken | |
| Shuri Castle Site (首里城跡 Shuri-jō ato, Okinawan: Sui Gusiku) | Gusuku | Naha-shi, Okinawa-ken | |
| Shikinaen (識名園 Shikinaen) | Garden | Naha-shi, Okinawa-ken | |
| Seifa-utaki (斎場御嶽 Seifa-utaki, Okinawan: Sheehwa-utaki) | Utaki | Nanjō-shi, Okinawa-ken |
Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Gusuku_sites_and_related_properties_of_the_Kingdom_of_Ryukyu Gusuku sites and related properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu] at Wikimedia Commons
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