Overview:

Gusuku sites and related properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu are a group of historic sites and cultural properties located in Okinawa, Japan. The term Gusuku (“fortresses”) comes from the local dialect of the Okinawa islands. They are the main remains of the Ryukyu Kingdom, an independent kingdom that existed between the 12th and 19th centuries. Among these sites are fortified castles, tombs, shrines, and sacred places, along with other cultural features important to the islands’ history. These sites and properties were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. They are of great historical, archaeological, and cultural importance, as they provide insight into a period of Okinawa’s history which has not been widely researched. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Japan
Prominent Features:

1. Stone Walls: The stone walls of Gusuku sites, built between the 12th and 17th centuries, are the physical embodiments of the Ryukyu Kingdom's power and authority. The walls are made up of large, well-cut stones, arranged in several styles depending on the period of construction. Some of the distinctive features include stone-lined moats, gatehouses, and watchtowers, as well as sloping inner surfaces known as kaniwa. 2. Shrines and Tombs: Gusuku sites are also home to numerous religious shrines and tombs, many of them dedicated to revered members of the Ryukyu royal family. The most important is Shuri Castle, where the Okinawan kings were enthroned and which still contains many original elements from the Ryukyu period. 3. Mounded Tombs: Another prominent feature of gusuku sites are the mounded tombs known as kofun, which were constructed in the 11th through 16th centuries. These tombs are believed to be the burial sites of the powerful nobles of the Ryukyu kingdom and contain important artifacts and artifacts related to the ancient history of the islands. 4. Stone Circles and Sculptures: Several gusuku sites feature stone circles known as ufugusuji, which were used as ceremonial spaces and for spiritual rituals. In addition, various sculptures of dragon and lion-like figures, called shisa, are another prominent feature of many gusuku sites. These figures were believed to have apotropaic and protective properties. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Japan.

History:

The Gusuku Sites of the Ryukyu Kingdom were a series of castles and fortifications built during the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom in Japan. The Kingdom of Ryukyu served as an independent state along the northern border of Japan from the 15th to 19th centuries before it was annexed by Japan in 1879. The earliest historical document written in the Ryukyuan language, the Omoro Sōshi, suggests the construction of castle structures to secure the control of the Ryukyu Islands. This suggests that gusuku (fortified castles) were built by the Okinawa clan, the rulers of the Ryukyu Kingdom, from at least around the 12th to 15th centuries. Many of these gusuku sites were unified by Shō Shin, the founder of the dynasty, who sought to establish the Ryukyu Kingdom as a distinct political entity. The most notable gusuku sites that remain today include Shuri Castle, Nakagusuku Castle, and Nakijin Castle. These fortifications were important symbols of the Ryukyu Kingdom and were where many of its key activities, such as coronations, took place. The fortifications of the Ryukyu Kingdom also included seacoast fortifications like Nakagusuku Cliff. The gusuku sites were also part of fortification systems that connected multiple castles, such as the system comprised of Nakagusuku, Shuri, and Zakimi Castles. The gusuku sites of the Ryukyu Kingdom, along with other related sites such as the Nakagusuku Cliff, have been designated as National Treasures and were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2000. These structures still stand today and continue to play an important role in Japanese cultural identity. Visit one of the famous monuments of Japan with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu are a group of sites that make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 2. The majority of the sites are located in Okinawa Prefecture on the main island of Japan. 3. These sites include castles and ruins, religious sites such as temples and shrines, and traditional villages. 4. The Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list since 2000. 5. The sites have been described as “representing the most complete and best preserved expressions of the early Ryukyuan civilization” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 6. The Kingdom of Ryukyu was a sovereign nation that had existed between the 11th and 19th centuries in the Ryukyu Islands in the East China Sea. 7. A number of civilizations existed in the Ryukyu Islands before the Kingdom of Ryukyu, including the Okinawa Kingdom and the Sanzan Period. 8. During the Kingdom of Ryukyu’s rule, they maintained diplomatic relations with China and Japan, and its culture was strongly influenced by its two main neighbours. 9. The Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu reflect the traditional Ryukyuan architectural styles, such as Okinawan-style castle walls and shisa-design. 10. The Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu are some of the most visited relics in Okinawa, with a number of sites designated as National Historical Sites. One of the historical monuments of Japan, it tells the story of a bygone era