Nakagusuku Castle (original) (raw)
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| Nakagusuku Castle中城城 | |
|---|---|
| Kitanakagusuku, Okinawa | |
 Ruins of Nakagusuku Castle (west district) |
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  Nakagusuku Castle中城城Show map of Okinawa Prefecture Nakagusuku Castle中城城Show map of Japan |
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| Type | Gusuku |
| Site information | |
| Open tothe public | yes |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Website | www.nakagusuku-jo.jp/en |
| Site history | |
| Built | around 1440 |
| Built by | Gosamaru |
| In use | early 1440-1611 |
| Materials | Ryūkyūan limestone, wood |
| Battles/wars | Attacked by Amawari (1458) |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Gosamaru, Aji of Nakagusuku Magiri |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Criteria | Cultural: ii, iii, vi |
| Reference | 972 |
| Inscription | 2000 (24th Session) |
Nakagusuku Castle (中城城, Nakagusuku jō, Okinawan: Nakagushiku) is a gusuku in the village of Kitanakagusuku, Okinawa, Japan. It is one of a number of castles built on the island of Okinawa by the Ryukyu Kingdom now in ruins.
The legendary Ryukyuan commander, Gosamaru, built the fortress in the early 15th century to defend against attacks from the east by Lord Amawari of Katsuren Castle. Amawari attacked the castle in 1458 and defeated Gosamaru shortly before his own castle was attacked by Uni-Ufugusuku. The castle was visited by Commodore Matthew C. Perry in 1853, who noted that the walls seemed to be designed to absorb cannon fire. The six courtyards of this fortress with stacked stone walls make it a prime example of a gusuku.
The castle was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2000. It is regarded as one of the 100 most famous castles in Japan.[1] Less than 50 metres (55 yards) away from the castle is the Nakagusuku Hotel ruins.
Model
Rampart of the 3rd district
Rampart of the 2nd district
Rampart of the 1st district
- ^ "Nakagusuku Castle Remains". Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- Motoo, Hinago (1986). Japanese Castles. Tokyo: Kodansha. p. 200 pages. ISBN 0-87011-766-1.
- Short history and directions to Nakagusuku Castle from Japan Guide
- Nakagusuku Castle site run by Nakamura-ke, located near the gusuku.
- The Amawari-Gosamaru dramatic episode
26°17′02″N 127°48′05″E / 26.28389°N 127.80139°E / 26.28389; 127.80139