Chinen Castle
Ryukyuan gusuku in Nanjō, Okinawa, Japan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chinen Castle (知念城, Chinen jō; Okinawan: Chinin Gushiku) is a Ryūkyūan gusuku fortification located in the city of Nanjō, Okinawa. The castle ruins were designated a National Historic Site on May 15, 1972.[1][2]
| Chinen Castle 知念城 | |
|---|---|
| Nanjō, Okinawa | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Gusuku |
| Open to the public | yes |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Location | |
  Chinen Castle 知念城 footnotes =  Chinen Castle 知念城 Chinen Castle 知念城 (Japan) | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 26°09′37″N 127°48′43″E |
| Site history | |
| In use | pre-14th century–1893 |
| Materials | Ryukyuan limestone, wood |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Aji of Chinen Magiri |
Overview
Chinen Castle is located on a coastal terrace about 100 meters above sea level, overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the Chinen Peninsula, at the southern eastern tip of Okinawa's main island. While the date of the castle's founding is unknown, it is believed to have been the stronghold of the Aji of Chinen Magiri and is the second oldest castle in the Ryukyu Islands. The castle consists of two enclosures, the old castle to the east being made out of rough-faced stone walls and the other newer castle to the west, and ten meters lower, being made out of ashlar masonry.[3] Before the Sanzan Period, the "King of the Ryukyu Islands" and the chief priestess would make a pilgrimage to Chinen Castle. The castle was the home of the Aji of Chinen Magiri. The new castle was built[4]
The new castle is said to have been built by Uchima Ufuya, the half-brother of King Shō Shin, the third king of the Second Shō Dynasty, who reigned from 1477 to 1526. The castle is a linked-wall structure with the old and new castles running east to west. The new castle has a main gate to the east and a rear gate to the north, both of which are arched and made of cut stone. The castle interior features stone walls and masonry that function as shutters, a remote worship hall for Kudaka Island, famous for Okinawa's creation legend, and a ritual facility dedicated to the god of fire. The castle was underwent extensive repairs by King Shō Kei in the 18th century.[5]
It is approximately a 45-minute drive from Naha Airport.[2]
