is a Ryukyuan ''
gusuku
often refers to castles or fortresses in the Ryukyu Islands that feature stone walls. However, the origin and essence of ''gusuku'' remain controversial. In the archaeology of Okinawa Prefecture, the ''Gusuku period'' refers to an archaeological ...
'' located near the shore of Irie Bay in southern
Miyakojima, Okinawa
is a city in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, located on the Miyako Islands. As of 2025, it had a population of 53,035.
History
The modern city of Miyakojima was established on October 1, 2005, from the merger of the old city of Hirara, the to ...
, in former
Ueno Village. It is the only castle on
Miyako Island
is the largest and the most populous island among the Miyako Islands of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Miyako Island is administered as part of the City of Miyako Island, which includes not only Miyako Island, but also five other islands.
Geogra ...
where the original castle layout is still visible.
History
The castle was built sometime prior to the 16th century, ruled by the
Aji of Kubaka. The castle was long and wide with the gate facing southwest.
There is a legend that a merchant from
Ryukyu
The , also known as the or the , are a chain of Japanese islands that stretch southwest from Kyushu to Geography of Taiwan, Taiwan: the Ryukyu Islands are divided into the Satsunan Islands (Ōsumi Islands, Ōsumi, Tokara Islands, Tokara and A ...
named Tamagusuku fell in love with Koujin, daughter of the Lord of Kubaka Castle, and the two had a son. After returning from a trip, Tamagusuku overheard Koujin refer to him as an “exile” or “wanderer” while talking to their son. He told her that he was an important trader, then grabbed the boy and took him to
Okinawa
most commonly refers to:
* Okinawa Prefecture, Japan's southernmost prefecture
* Okinawa Island, the largest island of Okinawa Prefecture
* Okinawa Islands, an island group including Okinawa itself
* Okinawa (city), the second largest city in th ...
where he would grow up to be a Lord himself. Koujin then wandered on the shore near the castle praying for death, until one day a
tsunami
A tsunami ( ; from , ) is a series of waves in a water body caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, generally in an ocean or a large lake. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and underwater explosions (including detonations, ...
washed her away.
[Miyakojima City Board of Education. “【Designated by the City：Historic Site】Koujin Migagama Utaki Sacred Site”. 2014, accessed 02 February 2020, https://miyakojimabunkazai.jp/en/bunkazaiinfo855/]
Gallery
References
Castles in Okinawa Prefecture
{{castle-stub