 Katusuren Castle is located on the Katsuren Peninsula on the eastern coast of Okinawa. Today, the ruins of the castle are an educational attraction, hosting tourists, schoolchildren, amateur historians, and curious passersby.
Excavations and historical research show that Katsuren Castle was constructed during the 12th century. During its first two centuries of existence, successive occupants (which were primarily local chieftains known as aji) increasingly fortified its walls. The castle sits atop a hill and boasts a commanding view of Nakagusuku Bay and the Pacific Ocean, as well as lands to the north, south, and west, making it an ideal defensive position.
Several of Katsuren?s lords are intertwined into the rich history of the Ryukyu Kingdom. A lord named Mochidzuki resided at Katsuren in the late 14th century. Mochidzuki came to power when King Sho Taikyu (to whom Mochidzuki?s daughter was wed) had taken the throne of the Kingdom of the Ryukyus. But Sho Taikyu?s leadership abilities left much to be desired; he spent the kingdom?s money on frivolities for the royal court and his subordinate lords and did little to help the poverty that plagued much of the island. So the commoners that lived under Mochidzuki?s rule suffered.
Sometime in the early to mid 15th century, Mochidzuki found a young infant and took the child in. This child grew up to become Amawari, one of Okinawa?s most legendary historical figures. As he grew, Amawari saw the conditions of the people outside the castle walls. After he was grown, Amawari called for Mochidzuki on evening. In the distance was what appeared to be a long line of troops approaching the castle. Wanting a better view of the perceived invaders, Mochidzuki followed Amawari to a higher wall. As he squinted into the horizon and strained to see the approaching men, Amawari pushed him over the edge and to his death below. In fact, the line of men approaching Katsuren Castle were not a threat and had been orchestrated by Amawari.
To the poverty-stricken people of Katsuren, Amawari was a hero. But the new aji harbored a secret desire to expand his rule. Aware that Amawari?s rising star posed a threat, King Sho Taikyu offered his daughter in marriage as an attempt to secure Amawari?s loyalty.
As time passed, it became clear that Amawari needed to be watched, so the king asked Gosamaru (who had long been a loyal vassal) to move from Zakimi Castle to Nakagusuku Castle (just across the bay and within sight of Katsuren Castle) to keep an eye on his foe. In 1458, after years of bitter rivalry, Amawari prepared to move against Gosamaru. As the latter marshaled his forces to repel the attack, Amawari slipped off to Shuri and told the king that Gosamaru was preparing to attack Shuri and take the throne. Seeing Gosamaru?s forces being organized, the king believed Amawari and asked him to lead the royal forces against the lord of Nakagusku.
When Amawari came, Gosamaru refused to fight the Shuri forces out of loyalty and instead took his own life. Amawari then set his sights on returning to Shuri to overthrow the king. But the king?s daughter (Amawari?s wife) learned of the plan and escaped to Shuri to warn her father. The king then raised his army, which marched north and defeated Amawari. In the years that followed, no aji rose to significant power at Katsuren Castle.
Today, the ruins of Katsuren stand tall atop a hill, offering a beautiful panorama of Okinawa and the Pacific. Visitors approach the castle from a nearby parking area and ascend through four enclosures.
At the height of Katsuren?s power, guests entered the castle through the stone walls along its base, which featured arched gates named Haebaru Ujou on the northern and southern sides. Within this first wall were four wells, whose water provided vital lifeblood to the castle. Because water was collected inside the castle walls, the structure could hold out for a sustained period of time if attacked. Attached to the fourth enclosure is a stone wall that forms what was known as the east gusuku. This area is sometimes referred to as Katsuren?s fifth enclosure.
Moving from the fourth to the third enclosure, guests would have passed through a wooden gate called Romon. Inside was a large area used for various religious and secular ceremonies. Next is the second enclosure, which would have been the aji?s pavilion and main residence. Above that is the first enclosure.
Archaeological excavations at Katsuren Castle have yielded many pieces of Chinese porcelain as well roof tiles. These tiles are particularly impressive, as the only other structures known to have them were Shuri Castle and Urasoe Gusuku (Shuri Castle?s predecessor).
In 2000, UNESCO designated Katsuren Castle as one of the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, making it a World Heritage Site.
Katsuren Castle Photos
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Admission to Katsuren Castle is free. To get there, exit Kadena Gate 2 and proceed straight for several kilometers. At the intersection with Highway 85, turn left. (There is a Mos Burger on the corner.) Continue straight. Highway 85 becomes Highway 33. Turn right onto Highway 16. Follow the signs for Katsuren Castle.
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