Chibana Castle Explained

Chibana Castle
知花城
Location:Okinawa, Okinawa
Open To Public:yes
Type:Gusuku
Built:14th century
Builder:Aji of Goeku Magiri
Materials:Ryukyuan limestone, wood
Used:14th century–15th century
Condition:Ruins
Controlledby: (15th century–1879)
(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)
Occupants:Aji of Goeku Magiri, Uni-Ufugusuku
Embedded:
Wikidata:yes
Zoom:16
Marker:castle
Pushpin Map:Japan Okinawa Prefecture#Japan
Pushpin Label Position:top

, also known as 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.[1]

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. 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. 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.[2]

Notes and References

  1. "知花城跡." おきなわ物語. Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau, n.d. Web. 27 Jan 2014. .
  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. .