Uni-Ufugusuku

In this Okinawan name, the family name is "Ufugusuku".
Ufugusuku Kenyu
Resting place Chibana Castle
Residence Katsuren Castle
Chibana Castle
Nationality Ryūkyū Kingdom
Other names Ōshiro Kenyu (大城賢雄)
Uni Ufugusuku (鬼大城)
Known for Okinawan Martial Arts
Height Greater than 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Title Aji of Goeku Magiri
Spouse(s) Momoto Fumiagari (百度踏揚)

Uni-Ufugusuku (鬼大城), or Ufugusuku Kenyu (大城賢雄) (fl. 15th century), was a martial arts master and Ryūkyūan general who served the Ryūkyū Kingdom. "Uni" is an Okinawan cognate of the Japanese "oni," which means ogre. He received this nickname because he was about 6 feet (1.8 metres) tall. He was the personal attendant of King Shō Taikyū's daughter, and lived in Katsuren Castle when she married the Aji Amawari. During the Aji's infamous grab for power in 1458, Ufugusuku took the King's daughter back to Shuri Castle. He led the Ryūkyūan army to depose Amawari, and personally executed him.[1] He later became Aji of Goeku Magiri, residing in Chibana Castle, and married the king's daughter.[1] He was expelled after the First Shō Dynasty fell and later committed suicide.[2] His tomb is at Chibana Castle, in Chibana, Okinawa City, dug into the hillside next to his wife's tomb.[1]

Tomb of Uni-Ufugusuku at Chibana Castle.

References

  1. 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/>.
  2. "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>.
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