Amawari

Amawari (阿麻和利, d. 1458) was a Ryukyuan lord (aji) of Katsuren Castle (Katsuren gusuku), known for his ambitions for the throne of the Ryūkyū Kingdom and scheme and attack against Gosamaru, aji of Nakagusuku.

Life

According to legend, Amawari was born to a peasant family in Yara, in Chatan magiri.[1] Toppling the lord of Katsuren gusuku, Amawari seized his domain.[1] Taking advantage of opportunities for maritime trade, he gained a degree of wealth and power, and married Momotofumi Agari, daughter of King Shō Taikyū, further solidifying his power.[1]

Anxious about Amawari's power, King Shō Taikyū arranged that a new castle be built at Nakagusuku, under the command and supervision of the aji (landlord) Gosamaru, between Katsuren and the royal capital of Shuri. In 1458, Amawari accused Gosamaru of plotting to overthrow the king, and as a result came to lead the royal armies in an attack on Nakagusuku which ended in Gosamaru's death by suicide. The King discovered Amawari's treachery, and sent his army led by Uni-Ufugusuku to Katsuren Castle, where Amawari was killed.[2] The entire affair was organized by the royal government, in order to remove both Gosamaru and Amawari as powerful rivals and potential threats to the succession.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Amawari." Okinawa rekishi jinmei jiten (沖縄歴史人名事典, "Encyclopedia of People of Okinawan History"). Naha: Okinawa Bunka-sha, 1996. p10.
  2. ↑ "知花城跡." おきなわ物語. Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau, n.d. Web. 27 Jan 2014. <http://www.okinawastory.jp/view/portal/0020220900/>.
  3. ↑ "Gosamaru-Amawari no hen." Okinawa konpakuto jiten (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). Ryukyu Shimpo (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 25 July 2009.