Ōzato Castle
| Ōzato Castle 大里城 | |
|---|---|
| Nanjō, Okinawa, Japan | |
| Type | Gusuku |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Nanzan (1314-1429), Chūzan (1429), Ryūkyū Kingdom (1429–1879), Japan (1879–present) |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Site history | |
| Built | late 14th – early 15th century |
| In use | late 14th century – 1429 |
| Built by | Ōzato family |
| Materials | Ryukyuan limestone, wood |
| Battles/wars | Invasion of Nanzan (1429) |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Kings of Nanzan |
Ōzato Castle (大里城 Ōzato-jō), officially Shimashii-Ōzato Castle (島添大里城 Shimashii Ōzato-jō), is a Ryūkyūan gusuku and was the largest in, and capital of, Nanzan until 1429. It, and the village of Ōzato, are named after the Ōzato Dynasty of Nanzan. It is in ruins, and is an officially-designated historical site in Nanjō City, Okinawa.[1]
History
Ōzato Castle became capital of Nanzan in 1314 when the Lord of Ōzato, Ōzato Ofusato, broke away from the chieftain Tamagusuku at Urasoe Castle. It sat on a hill near the fishing town of Itoman and the farming village of Ōzato. There was a small inlet at the bottom of the hill that allowed merchant ships to trade directly with the castle.[2] The strategic location of the castle allowed Nanzan to compete with Chūzan and outlive Hokuzan, but during a succession dispute in 1429 following the death of the last King of Nanzan, Ōzato Taromai, the army of Chūzan captured the castle.[2] In the 1950s, a primary school was built within the inner court of the castle.[2] In 2012, Ōzato castle became an officially-designated historical site on Okinawa island.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tokumori, Lima, and Mark Ealey. "Cultural Affairs Council Recommends Two Okinawan Sites to Minister of MEXT." Ryukyu Shimpo [Naha] 19 Nov. 2011: n. pag. Ryukyu Shimpo. Web. 13 Jan. 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Kerr, George H. Okinawa, The History of an Island People, Second Printing, Charles E. Tuttle Company, Tokyo, 1959, p. 60