Editing Shuri Castle (section)

==Sites of interest==
[[File:Burg Shuri Plan.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|A plan of the castle: 1: Seiden; 2: Hokuden; 3: Nanden; 4: Houshinmon; 5: Bandokoro; A: Shureimon; B: Kankaimon; C: Zuisenmon; D: Roukokumon; E: Koufukumon; F: Kyukeimon; G: Uekimon; H: Kobikimon]]
Due to its central role in Ryukyuan political and religious life, Shuri is composed of and surrounded by various sites of historical interest. The castle complex itself can be divided into three main zones, namely a central administrative area (including the ''Seidan'' and ''Ura''), an eastern living and ceremonial space (behind the ''Seidan'') called the ''Ouchibara'' (literally "inside field"), and a southwestern ceremonial area including the ''Kyo-no-uchi'' (literally "inside capital").

===Buildings===
All of the buildings located at Shurijo are modern reconstructions, the originals being lost in 1945.
* {{Nihongo||番所|Bandokoro}} – located south of the ''Una'', and paired with the ''Nanden'', originally the main reception area, currently housing a museum. The two were built between 1621 and 1627.
* {{Nihongo||北殿|Hokuden}} or {{Nihongo||北御殿|Nishi nu udun}} – the "North Hall", located north of the ''Una'', originally a judicial and administrative center where ''Sapposhi'' (Chinese envoys) were also received, currently housing a museum and gift-shop. Originally called the ''Nishi-no-udun'' or ''Giseiden'', it was built around 1506–1521.
* {{Nihongo||系図座|Keizuza}} – located east of the ''Shicha-nu-una'', originally the government office responsible for the genealogy of noble families, currently housing a tearoom and stage for Ryukyuan dance shows.
* {{Nihongo||近習詰所|Kinju-tsumesho}} – a work area for high-officials (such as the ''Kinju-gashira'', ''Kinju-yaku'', and ''Hisa''), currently a passageway between the ''Nanden'' and ''Seiden''.
* {{Nihongo||黄金御殿|Kugani-udun}} – private area for the king, his wife, and mother, south of the ''Seiden''. Originally dated to at least 1671, and rebuilt by 1715, it connected the ''Nanden'' to ''Oku-shoin''. Inner rooms included the ''Suzuhiki'' and ''Ochane-zume''.
* {{nihongo||南殿|Nanden (fee nu udun)}} – the "South Hall", formerly an entertainment area for Satsuma envoys, currently an exhibition space.
* {{nihongo||二階御殿|Ni-kei-udun}} – a sitting room for the king linked to the ''Seidan''. Built in 1765, it was later extended south in 1874.
* {{nihongo||女官居室|Nyokan-kyoshitsu}} or {{Nihongo||城人御詰所|Gushikunchu utsumesho}} – unknown function. Located north of the ''Kushino-una''.
* {{nihongo||奥書院|Oku-shoin}} – rest house for the king, south of the ''Seiden'', originally dated to at least 1715.
* {{nihongo||鎖之間|Sasumoma}} – anteroom located south of the ''Nanden'' for royal princes, and guest/official reception area.
* {{nihongo||正殿|Seiden}} or {{Nihongo||百浦添御殿|Mundashii udun}} – the "Main Hall", also called the State Palace, was situated to the east of the ''Una'', but facing west towards China, and contains the throne room and royal living and ceremonial areas. The western facade includes two 4.1 meter high ''Dai-Ryu Chu'' (Great Dragon Pillars), crafted of sandstone from [[Yonaguni Island]], and symbols of the king. The left dragon is called ''Ungyou'', and the right is ''Agyou'', and these motifs are replicated throughout the building including the roof. Other decorative elements include ''botan'' ([[peony]] flowers), ''shishi'' (golden dragons), and ''zuiun'' (clouds). The ''Shichagui'' (first floor) was where the king personally conducted affairs of state and ceremonies. The ''Usasuka'' was the lower area in front of where the king sat, with the ''Hira-usasuka'' (side-areas) flanking either side. The second floor included the ''Ufugui'', the area for the queen and her attendants, and the ''Usasuku'', the upper main throne room of the king. Behind it are the ''Osenmikocha'', chambers where the king would pray daily. According to historical records, the ''Seiden'' was burned down and rebuilt five times (most recently in 2019), and was also used as the prayer hall for a Shinto shrine between 1923–1945.
* {{nihongo||書院|Shoin}} – study and office of the king, south of the ''Nanden'', where Chinese/Satsuma officials were entertained when visiting.
* {{nihongo||首里杜館|Suimuikan}} – cultural/exhibition center, gift shop, and restaurant area.
* {{nihongo||供屋|Tomoya}} – unknown function, but now housing the [[Bridge of Nations Bell]] replica.
* {{nihongo||世誇殿|Yohokoriden (Yuufukui udun}} – immediately east of the ''Seiden'', it was the regular sleeping area for unmarried princesses, and the location of the ascension ceremony.
* {{nihongo||用物座|Youmoutsuza}} – paired building with the ''Keizuza'', which dealt with the goods and materials used inside the castle.
* {{nihongo||寄満|Yuinchi}} – royal food preparation area, connected to the ''Kugani-udun'', dated to at least 1715. Attendants included the ''Hocho'' (chef) and ''Agama'' (female servants).


===Courtyard (~una)===
* {{nihongo||後之御庭|Kushino-una}} – the living area immediately behind the ''Seiden'', surrounded by the ''Nyokan-kyoshitsu'' and ''Yuinchi''.
* {{nihongo||下之御庭|Shicha-nu-una}} – the lower area between the ''Houshinmon'' and ''Koufukumon''.
* {{nihongo||御庭|Una}} – the central and primary reception and ceremonial area of the castle in front of the ''Seiden''.

===Gates (~mon)===
* {{nihongo||美福門|Bifukumon}} – a gate leading south of the ''Kushino-una'', leading to the ''Ouchibara''. Called ''Akata-ujo'' prior to the construction of ''Keiseimon''.
* {{nihongo||中山門|Chūzanmon}} – the first ceremonial gate to Shurijo, built around 1427 by King Shō Hashi, it was demolished in 1907.
* {{nihongo||白銀門|Hakuginmon}} – the easternmost gate leading to the ''Shinbyoden''.
* {{nihongo||奉神門|Houshinmon}} – also known as ''Kimihokori-ujo'', it is the main citadel entrance to the ''Una'', currently the ticket check gate. Although the period of construction is unknown, the stone balustrades were completed in 1562.
* {{nihongo||歓会門|Kankaimon}} – built around 1477–1500 during the reign of King Shō Shin, the gate was burned down during the [[Battle of Okinawa]] in 1945 and restored in 1974. It is the first main gate to the castle. ''Kankai'' (歓会), which means "welcome", the gate was named to express welcome to the investiture envoys who visited Shuri as representatives of the Chinese Emperor.
* {{nihongo||継世門|Keiseimon}} – a southwest gate south of ''Bifukumon'', also called ''Akata-ujo''. Normally a side-gate, it was used by the Crown Prince when officially ascending the throne. The door was restored in 1998.
* {{nihongo||木曳門|Kobikimon}} – a trade gate usually blocked with stones, but opened for movement of building and wall repair materials.
* {{nihongo||広福門|Koufukumon}} – the entrance into the ''Shicha-nu-una'', currently the ticket purchase gate. Historically, the eastern wing of the building housed ''Okumiza'', the deputy's office to intervene in disputes between noble families. The west wing housed the ''Jishaza'', the magistrate responsible for supervising the places of worship.
* {{nihongo||久慶門|Kyukeimon}} – the northern gate mostly used by women, also known as ''Hokoriujo hokori'', meaning "Pleasant Pride". It was built during the reign of King Shō Shin.
* {{nihongo||漏刻門|Roukokumon}} – a gate housing a ''roukoku'' (water clock) in the turret, also called ''Kagoise-ujo''. Visitors would dismount their horses or palanquins here.
* {{nihongo||淑順門|Shukujunmon}} – the citadel gate north of the ''Seiden'', also called ''Onaka-ujo'', leading to the ''Ouchibara''.
* {{nihongo||守礼門|[[Shureimon]]}} – the second ceremonial gate built between 1527 and 1555, and now the main gate to the complex.
* {{nihongo||右掖門|Uekimon}} – leads directly to ''Kyukeimon''. It was used as a service entrance to the ''Ouchibara''.
* {{nihongo||瑞泉門|Zuisenmon}} – literally "splendid and auspicious spring gate", located near ''Ryuhi'' and probably built around 1470.

===Shrines (~utaki) and temples (~ji)===
* {{nihongo||弁財天堂|Benzaitendo|extra=[[Okinawan language|Okinawan]]: Bizaitindoo}} – a shrine built to house ''Housatsuzou-kyou'' (Buddhist scriptures) gifted by [[Sejo of Joseon|Sejo]], the 7th [[Joseon]] king of Korea.
* {{nihongo||円覚寺|[[Enkaku-ji (Okinawa)|Enkaku-ji]]|extra=Okinawan: Ufutira}} – a Buddhist temple for the royal family in the lower precincts north of the citadel, constructed in 1492.
* {{nihongo||苅銘御嶽|Kawarume-utaki}} – a small private shrine near the ''Okushoin''.
* {{nihongo||京の内|Kyo-no-uchi|extra=Okinawan: chuu nu uchi}} – a large open ritual area where prayers by the ''[[Kikoe-ōgimi]] (chifi-ufujin)'' (high-priestess) were made.
* {{nihongo||園比屋武御嶽|[[Sonohyan-utaki]]|extra=Okinawan: sunuhyan utaki}} – a sacred stone "gate" to the left of ''Shureimon'' was erected in 1519, where the king offered prayers for order throughout the kingdom and safety at the outset of his travels.
* {{nihongo||首里森御嶽|Suimui-utaki}} – a walled worship space, supposedly "created by the gods", inside the ''Shicha-nu-una''. It is the theme of many of the songs and prayers recorded in ''[[Omoro Sōshi]] (Okinawan: umuru sooshi)'', Ryukyu's oldest music collection.

===Other features===
* {{nihongo||東のアザナ|Agari-no-azana}} – the eastern lookout point of the innermost wall.
* {{nihongo||円鑑池|Enganchi}} – a moat created around ''Benzaitendo''.
* {{nihongo||放生橋|Hojo-bashi}} – a stone bridge behind ''Enkaku-ji''.
* {{nihongo||西のアザナ|Iri-no-azana}} – a modern lookout tower overlooking Naha.
* {{nihongo||日影台|Nichiei-dai}} – a [[sundial]] in front of ''Roukokumon'' and next to the ''Tomoya'', which kept time in Shuri from around 1739 until 1879.
* {{nihongo||奥書院園|Okushoin-en}} – a private garden behind the ''Okushoin''.
* {{nihongo||御内原|Ouchibaru}} – the residential area of the citadel to the east of the ''Seiden'', forbidden to men except those of the royal family.
* {{nihongo||龍樋|Ryuhi}} – a natural spring in front of ''Zuisenmon'', with a dragon headed spout.
* {{nihongo||龍潭|Ryutan}} – a man-made pond, built in 1427 and located north of ''Shureimon''.
* {{nihongo||識名園|[[Shikina-en]]}} – built in 1799, the royal gardens and [[villa]] are a rare, historically valuable example of Ryukyuan [[Landscape architecture|landscape gardening]].
* {{nihongo||寝廟殿|Shinbyoden}} – the easternmost area of the inner citadel where the body of a king was temporarily held.
* {{nihongo||玉陵|[[Tamaudun]]}} – the restored royal tombs of the Second Shō dynasty, located adjacent to Shurijo, where 17 kings, along with their queens and royal children, are entombed.