Pictures of the week: Fun times in Okinawa

I started this blog with the intention showing everyone all the interesting and fun stuff I was determined to see and do out here. Well I've dropped the ball. I've seen and done lots but I haven't shared like I said I would... boo to me. Anyway over the course of the next few days I will share with you some of my favorite experiences and pictures.

Let's start with...
Castles: Okinawa has a rich history, especially when it comes to royalty, and it is said that there are about 300 castle ruins on the island.
The first castle we visited was Shuri Castle. Shuri was the palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, which ruled most of the Ryukyu Islands from the 15th century to the 19th century (1429-1879). During the 450 years that it served the Ryukyu Kingdom Shuri castle had burned or been demolished many times but had always been rebuilt. Before WWII Shuri Castle was designated a national treasure, but during the war the Japanese military set up its headquarters underground at the castle. Then on May 25, 1945 at the battle of Okinawa the American battleship Mississippi shelled it for 3 straight days. On May 27 it burned to the ground. Reconstruction of Shuri Castle- based on historical records, photographs and memory- began in the late 80s and continues today.
Here are my favorites from our visit.






The second castle we visited was the Nakagusuku Castle. The castle was believed to have been built by the famous Ryukyuan commander, Gosamaru, in the early 15th century and was purported to defend the land against the assaults from Lord Amawari of Katsuren gusuku. However, because the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd citadels of Nakagusuku display artistic sensibilities vastly different in style from the north citadel, it is now believed that foundation was laid by his ancestors in the mid 14th Century and later expanded upon by Gosamaru in the early 15th Century. Either way, Gosamaru was moved to Nakagusuku by the Shuri king to check the rising power of Amawari in Katsuren Castle. In 1458 the castle fell to attacks by Amawari the lord of Katsuren Castle.

Here are some of my favs from that castle.

Coming soon- Okinawan Tombs and Lotus Slippers.