Gushikawa Castle (Kumejima Okinawa)
History
Historical documents do not clearly state when Gushikawa Castle was built, but archaeological excavations at the site have found artefacts such as porcelain, ceramics, and coins which indicates that it was built sometime between the 14th and 15th century. On a sign put up by the Okinawa Board of Education at the castle site, it states that Gushikawa Castle was constructed in the early 15th century.
Both the Ryukyu Kokuyuraiki(琉球国由来記), a report compiled by the Ryukyu government in 1713, and the Kyuyo(球陽), a historical chronicle compiled by the Ryukyu government between 1743 and 1745, mention that Madafutsu Aji constructed the castle. The Kyuyo also mentions when Madafutsu’s son, Makanegoe was the lord of the castle, it was attacked and taken by Manikodaru Aji, the second son of Chinaha Aji. In the Gushikawa Magiri Kyuki(具志川間切旧記), compiled in 1743, it mentions that after losing his castle, Makanegoe fled to the island of Okinawa and built another Gushikawa Castle in the Cape Kyan area.
A Chuzan Kingdom army from the main island of Okinawa invaded Kumejima. They successfully besieged the castle in 1506 according to the Kyuyo.
Gushikawa Castle was listed as a National Historic Site in 1975.
References
名嘉正八郎(1996), 沖縄の城
当真嗣一(1996), 沖縄のグスクめぐり
上里隆史, 安斎英介(2019), 沖縄の名城を歩く
Signs at Gushikawa Castle
Visit Notes
Nakandakari bus stop is the closest bus stop to Gushikawa Castle, but buses run very infrequently, so my wife and I opted to use a taxi to get there.
This castle is quite impressively situated on the plateau of a solitary limestone hill overlooking the sea. The castle ruin is divided into four baileys, and all the baileys have stone wall ruins. The sections facing the east, above the modern-day parking area and around the main gate have been restored, but most of the other stone walls have collapsed in piles as can be seen in the photos.
RaymondW wrote this castle profile and contributed all the photos.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Gushikawa Castle (Kumejima Okinawa) |
| Japanese Name | 具志川城 |
| Founder | Madabutsu Aji |
| Year Founded | Early 15th century |
| Castle Type | Hilltop |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Designations | National Historic Site |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Features | stone walls |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | bus or taxi |
| Visitor Information | Free |
| Time Required | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Location | Kumejima, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 26° 22' 59.77" N, 126° 45' 3.67" E |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2024 |
| Contributor | RaymondW |
| Admin Year Visited | |
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