Nanzan Castle

Nanzan Castle
島尻大里城
Itoman, Okinawa
Type Gusuku
Site information
Controlled by Nanzan (1314-1429)
Chūzan (1429)
Ryūkyū Kingdom (1429–1879)
 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
Condition Ruins
Site history
Built early 14th century
Built by Ōzato family
In use early 14th century – 1429
Materials Ryūkyūan limestone, wood
Demolished 1429 invasion of Nanzan
Battles/wars Invasion of Nanzan (1429)
Garrison information
Occupants Kings of Nanzan

Nanzan Castle (南山城 Nanzan-jō), officially Shimajiri-Ōzato Castle (島尻大里城 Shimajiri Ōzato-jō), is a Ryūkyūan gusuku and was the largest in, and capital of, Nanzan until 1429. It is named after Nanzan itself. It is in ruins, and is located in Itoman.

History

Nanzan Castle was built in the early 14th century, and became capital of Nanzan in 1314 when the Lord of Ōzato, Ōzato Ofusato, broke away from the chieftain Tamagusuku at Urasoe Castle.[1] It sat on a hill near the fishing town of Itoman and the farming village of Ōzato. There was a small inlet at the bottom of the hill that allowed merchant ships to trade directly with the castle.[2] The strategic location of the castle allowed Nanzan to compete with Chūzan and outlive Hokuzan, but during a succession dispute in 1429 following the death of the last King of Nanzan, Ōzato Taromai, the army of Chūzan captured the castle.[2] In the 1950s, a primary school was built within the inner court of the castle.[2]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~bird-etc/castle-nanzan.html
  2. 1 2 3 Kerr, George H. Okinawa, The History of an Island People, Second Printing, Charles E. Tuttle Company, Tokyo, 1959, p. 60

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