Chibana Castle
Chibana Castle (知花城, Chibana jō, Okinawan: Chibana gushiku[1]), also known as Goeku Castle (越来城, Goeku jō, Okinawan: Gwiiku gushiku[2]) was a Ryukyuan gusuku on Okinawa Island. In the Chibana district of Okinawa City, the castle site sits on a hill and is surrounded by jungle.[3]
| Chibana Castle 知花城 | |
|---|---|
| Okinawa, Okinawa | |
 Plaque on observation structure commemorating Chibana Castle | |
  Chibana Castle 知花城  Chibana Castle 知花城 | |
| Coordinates | 26°21′46.5″N 127°48′39.0″E |
| Type | Gusuku |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |  Ryūkyū Kingdom (15th century–1879).svg.png.webp){kind=small} Empire of Japan (1879–1945).svg.png.webp){kind=small} United States Military Government of the Ryukyu Islands (1945-1950)United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands (1950-1972) Japan (1972-present) |
| Open to the public | yes |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Site history | |
| Built | 14th century |
| Built by | Aji of Goeku Magiri |
| In use | 14th century–15th century |
| Materials | Ryukyuan limestone, wood |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Aji of Goeku Magiri, Uni-Ufugusuku |
History
Chibana Castle was in use during the reign of the First Shō Dynasty and served as the residence of the Aji of Goeku Magiri.[3] The castle and Goeku Magiri was given to the Ryukyuan general Uni-Ufugusuku by King Shō Taikyū in return for defeating the Aji of Katsuren Castle, Amawari. After the fall of the First Shō Dynasty, Uni-Ufugusuku was expelled from the castle and later committed suicide.[3] His tomb, and that of his wife, was built at the bottom of the hill that Chibana Castle is atop.
In the early 1960s, a structure was built on top of the hill to commemorate the castle and serve as a tourist attraction, from which all of the former Goeku Magiri can be seen.[4]
References
- "チバナ". 首里・那覇方言音声データベース (in Japanese).
- "グィーク". 首里・那覇方言音声データベース (in Japanese).
- "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/>.
- "知花城をゆく(ちばなグスク)." 日本のお城めぐり. L-internet, n.d. Web. 27 Jan 2014. <http://www.lint.ne.jp/~uematsu/chibana.html>.