 Tama-u-dun (also Tamaudun) is a limestone mausoleum that houses the remains of members of the Sho En dynasty of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. It is located in Shuri, roughly 200 meters from the Shureimon.
Tama-u-dun was built in 1501 (Koji 14) by order of King Sho Shin, who wanted to the remains of his father (King Sho En) closer to Shuri Castle. As successive generations passed away, their remains were also placed here.
The total area of the site of Tama-u-dun spans 2,442 square meters and is enclosed by two-meter high walls hewn from Ryukyuan limestone. Visitors enter through a gate into a rectangular outer courtyard covered with coral sand. After passing through another gate, guests find themselves in the inner courtyard (also covered with coral sand) and facing the large limestone crypts.
The mausoleum, which was built into the side of a limestone escarpment, has three sealed rooms. At the time of its original construction, it had a wooden roof. According to an inscription in a stone in the outer court, the easternmost room (on the left if facing the tomb) housed the remains of kings and queens, while the westernmost one (on the right) was reserved for the remains of princes, princesses, and other members of the royal family. The center room, called Shiruhirashi, was where remains were placed before the bones were washed. Short stone staircases lead to the entrance of each room.
Topping the tomb are a stone lion and lioness, which served to ward off evil spirits. A monument in the outer courtyard cites that the pair of fearsome statues were added as a result of drama within the royal family over inheritance of the throne.
Like most other sites around the island, Tama-u-dun was damaged during the Battle of Okinawa. After the war was over, efforts were made to restore the mausoleum to its original state.
In 1972, upon Okinawa?s reversion to Japanese control, Tama-u-dun was designated a National Important Cultural Property and a National Historic Site. In 2000, UNESCO designated it one of the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, making it a World Heritage Site.
Today, there is a museum located on the grounds of the site. It houses artifacts excavated from the area as well as ceramics significant to the royal family and the history of Okinawa. Admission to the museum is included in the nominal charged to visit Tama-u-dun.
Tamaudun Photos
Please click a thumbnail to load a high resolution image.
To get to Tama-u-dun, head south on Highway 58 from Camp Foster. Follow the signs to Shuri Castle. It is recommended to park at the castle and walk to Tama-u-dun, as there is limited parking in the area. To get to Tama-u-dun from Shuri Castle, walk under the Shureimon, away from the castle. Continue straight, through the intersection (which will veer left a bit). Tama-u-dun will be down and on the left.
No part of this article may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission.
 Related items
Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu
King Sho En
King Sho Shin
National Historic Site
National Important Cultural Property
Ryukyu Kingdom
Ryukyu limestone
Shiruhirashi
Shuri Castle
Southern Okinawa
Tama Udun
TamauDun
UNESCO World Heritage Site
bones
coral sand
crypt
inner courtyard
king
outer courtyard
prince
princess
queen
remains
royal mausoleum
sculptures
tomb
|
Japan 
Subscribe to this comment's feed