Shurijo facts for kids

Shuri Castle

Shuri Castle (also called Shurijo) was a special palace where the kings of the Ryukyu Kingdom lived. The Ryukyu Kingdom was an independent country that existed long ago on the islands now known as Okinawa. Because it was built when Ryukyu was independent, Shuri Castle looks different from other castles in Japan.

Shuri Castle is located in Shuri, which was once the capital city of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Today, Shuri is part of the city of Naha. Over its long history, the castle was destroyed and rebuilt four times. One of these times was during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. Because of these rebuilds, the main courtyard is a little uneven. Shuri Castle was also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its important history and culture.

On the morning of October 31, 2019, a large fire broke out at the castle. Several main buildings, including the Seiden (main hall), Hokuden, Nanden, and Bandokoro, were completely destroyed. In total, six castle buildings covering about 4,200 square meters were lost. Firefighters put out the blaze around 1:30 p.m.

The Ryukyu Kingdom and Its Castle

The Ryukyu Kingdom was a powerful kingdom that ruled the Ryukyu Islands from the 15th to the 19th century. Shuri Castle was the heart of this kingdom. It was not just a home for the kings, but also the center for politics, culture, and trade. The castle's unique design shows a mix of Japanese and Chinese architectural styles. This mix came from the kingdom's strong connections with both countries.

A Castle Rebuilt Many Times

Shuri Castle has a long history of being destroyed and then carefully rebuilt. Each time, it rose again from its ashes.

• The castle was first built in the late 1300s.
• It was destroyed by fire several times throughout its history.
• During the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, the castle was almost completely destroyed.
• After World War II, a large project began to rebuild the castle. It was carefully restored to its original glory based on old pictures and records. This restoration was finished in 1992.
• Sadly, the fire in 2019 destroyed many of these rebuilt parts.

Why the Castle Was Important

Shuri Castle was more than just a building. It was a symbol of the Ryukyu Kingdom's independence and culture.

• It was where important ceremonies and meetings took place.
• It was a center for art, music, and dance.
• It showed the kingdom's wealth and power.
• Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site meant it was recognized as important to the whole world.

The 2019 Fire and Future

The fire in 2019 was a sad event for Okinawa and Japan. Many people felt a deep loss because the castle was so important to their history. However, there are plans to rebuild Shuri Castle once again. This shows the strong spirit of the people of Okinawa and their desire to preserve their heritage. The rebuilding process will take many years, but it will bring the castle back to life for future generations.

Images for kids

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  Shurijo Castle after it was destroyed by fire in 2019.

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  A restored wall near Kyukeimon, showing incorporated original stones.

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  A plan of the castle: 1: Seiden; 2: Hokuden; 3: Nanden; 4: Houshinmon; 5: Bandokoro; A: Shureimon; B: Kankaimon; C: Zuisenmon; D: Roukokumon; E: Koufukumon; F: Kyukeimon; G: Uekimon; H: Kobikimon

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  Part of a painting depicting the Qing Dynasty envoy for the induction ceremony.

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  Prewar Una and buildings before destruction

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  Seiden - front facade

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  Usasuku - the upper royal throne room

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  Suimuikan

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  Shureimon

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  Kankaimon

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  Zuisenmon

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  Ryuhi

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  Suimi-utaki

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  Sasunoma

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  Kyo-no-uchi

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  Wall near Kyukeimon, with Ryutan in the distance

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  Benzaitendo, with Enganchi in the foreground.

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  500 yen coin, issued to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa, with Shuri Castle depicted on the obverse side of the coin

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  Shuri Castle's main gate and main hall's charred roof two days after the 2019 fire

See also

In Spanish: Castillo Shuri para niños