Chibana Castle 知花城 | |
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Okinawa, Okinawa | |
![]() Plaque on observation structure commemorating Chibana Castle | |
Coordinates | 26°21′46.5″N 127°48′39.0″E / 26.362917°N 127.810833°E |
Type | Gusuku |
Site information | |
Controlled by | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Open to the public | yes |
Condition | Ruins |
Site history | |
Built | 14th century |
Built by | Aji of Goeku Magiri |
In use | 14th century–15th century |
Materials | Ryukyuan limestone, wood |
Garrison information | |
Occupants | Aji of Goeku Magiri, Uni-Ufugusuku |
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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]
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]