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
TypeGusuku
Site information
Controlled by Ryūkyū Kingdom (15th century–1879)
 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
ConditionRuins
Site history
Built14th century
Built byAji of Goeku Magiri
In use14th century–15th century
MaterialsRyukyuan limestone, wood
Garrison information
OccupantsAji 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]

Tomb of Uni-Ufugusuku.

References
  1. "チバナ". 首里・那覇方言音声データベース (in Japanese).
  2. "グィーク". 首里・那覇方言音声データベース (in Japanese).
  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/>.
  4. "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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