Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. Today, I would like to talk about the World Heritage of Japan: 首里城 Shurijo Castle. Okinawa was originally called Ryukyu, and independent kingdom with a unique culture. Located in the middle of three countries, China, Korea, and Japan, it flourished as a base of intermediate trade. However, it was put under the control of Shimazu domain in the Edo period and was colonized by Japan during the Meiji period. During the Second World War, Okinawa became the only battlefield in Japan where Americans landed. After Japan surrendered, it was under American control until 1972. 首里城 Shurijo Castle and グスク gusukus (castles), listed as World Heritage sites, are the legacy of the glory of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
Shurijo Castle is built in Chinese style because Ryukyu was in a vassal relationship with the Chinese Ming dynasty in order to receive the right to trade with them. This is the reason why Shurijo Castle has a similar structure to the Forbidden City in China.



May 30th News, from NILS Japanese language school.