Chibana Castle

26°21′46.5″N 127°48′39.0″E / 26.362917°N 127.810833°E / 26.362917; 127.810833TypeGusukuSite informationControlled by Ryūkyū Kingdom (15th century–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 publicyesConditionRuinsSite historyBuilt14th centuryBuilt byAji of Goeku MagiriIn use14th century–15th centuryMaterialsRyukyuan limestone, woodGarrison informationOccupantsAji of Goeku Magiri, Uni-Ufugusuku

Chibana Castle (知花城, Chibana jō, Okinawan: Chibana gushiku^[1]), also known as Goeku Castle (越来城, Goeku jō, Okinawan: Gwiiku gushiku^[2]) was a Ryukyuan gusuku on Okinawa Island. In the Chibana district of Okinawa City, the castle site sits on a hill and is surrounded by jungle.^[3]

History

Chibana Castle was in use during the reign of the First Shō Dynasty and served as the residence of the Aji of Goeku Magiri.^[3] The castle and Goeku Magiri was given to the Ryukyuan general Uni-Ufugusuku by King Shō Taikyū in return for defeating the Aji of Katsuren Castle, Amawari. After the fall of the First Shō Dynasty, Uni-Ufugusuku was expelled from the castle and later committed suicide.^[3] His tomb, and that of his wife, was built at the bottom of the hill that Chibana Castle is atop.

In the early 1960s, a structure was built on top of the hill to commemorate the castle and serve as a tourist attraction, from which all of the former Goeku Magiri can be seen.^[4]

References