Chibana Castle
| Chibana Castle 知花城 | |
|---|---|
| Okinawa, Okinawa | |
|
Plaque on observation structure commemorating Chibana Castle | |
| Type | Gusuku |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |
Ryūkyū Kingdom (15th century–1879).svg.png){kind=small} Empire of Japan (1879–1945) 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 | Ryūkyūan limestone, wood |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Aji of Goeku Magiri, Uni-Ufugusuku |
Chibana Castle (知花城 Chibana jō) was a Ryūkyūan gusuku on Okinawa Island. Located in the Chibana district of Okinawa City, the castle site sits on a hill and is surrounded by jungle.[1] The castle was in use during the reign of the First Shō Dynasty and served as the residence of the Aji of Goeku Magiri.[1] The castle, and Goeku Magiri, was given to the Ryūkyūan 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.[1] His tomb, and that of his wife, was built at the bottom of the hill that Chibana Castle is on. 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.[2] It has been neglected in recent years and has been allowed to become overgrown and hazardous (i.e. crumbling stairs).
References
- 1 2 3 "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>.
Coordinates: 26°21′46.4718″N 127°48′39.0204″E / 26.362908833°N 127.810839000°E