| 1．Shuri Castle |
| Shuri Castle (首里城, Shuri-jō, Okinawan: Sui Ugusuku[3]) is a Ryukyuan gusuku castle in Shuri, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Between 1429 and 1879, it was the palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, before becoming largely neglected. In 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, it was almost completely destroyed. After the war, the castle was re-purposed as a university campus. Beginning in 1992, the central citadel and walls were largely reconstructed on the original site based on historical records, photographs, and memory. In 2000, Shuri Castle was designated as a World Heritage Site, as a part of the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. On the morning of 31 October 2019, the main courtyard structures of the castle were again destroyed in a fire.[4] |
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| 2．Mie Castle |
| Mie Castle (三重城, Mie jō; Okinawan: Mii gushiku) is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Naha, Okinawa. It is located on the northern mouth of the Kokuba River in Naha Port. Mie Castle was built on the northern mouth of Naha Port in 1546 by King Shō Sei.[1] It was built to defend the Port and city of Naha, alongside its sister Yarazamori Castle. Between the two castles, an iron chain boom-net could be drawn up to deny ships access to the harbor.[1][2] Mie Castle, although the smaller of the two, was armed with 7–9 cm cannons.[2] The defenders were also armed with pikes and native-made hand cannons.[1] These defenses were intended for use against pirates, however they proved successful in driving away the fleet of Satsuma during their 1609 invasion.[1][2] The castle would continue to be used for anti-piracy, however it became generally used by civilians for seeing ships' departures. |
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| 3．Yarazamori Castle |
| Yarazamori Castle (屋良座森城, Yarazamori jō; Okinawan: Yarazamui gushiku) was a Ryukyuan gusuku in Naha, Okinawa. It was located on the southern mouth of the Kokuba River in Naha Port. Yarazamori Castle was built on the southern mouth of Naha Port in 1546 by King Shō Sei.[1] It was built to defend the Port and city of Naha, alongside its sister Mie Castle. Between the two castles, an iron chain boom-net could be drawn up to deny ships access to the harbor.[1][2] Yarazamori Castle, the larger of the two, was armed with 7-9cm cannons.[2] The defenders were also armed with pikes and native-made hand cannons.[1] These defenses were intended for use against pirates, however they also proved successful in driving away the fleet of Satsuma during their 1609 invasion, where Yarazamori proved pivotal.[1][2] The castle would continue to be used for anti-piracy, however it became generally used for seeing ships off by civilians. |
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