Amawari

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Tomb of Amawari, the 10th lord (Aji) of Katsuren Castle

Amawari (阿麻和利, d. 1458) was a Ryukyuan Lord (Aji) of Katsuren Castle, known for his ambitions for the throne of the Ryukyu Kingdom and scheme and attack against Gosamaru, Aji of Yomitanzan and Nakagusuku.

Life[]

Amawari was born to a peasant family in Yara, in Chatan Magiri (now Kadena).[1] Overthrowing the Aji, Amawari seized his domain.[1] Taking advantage of opportunities for maritime trade, he gained a degree of wealth and power, and married Momoto-fumiagari, daughter of King Shō Taikyū, further solidifying his power.[1]

Anxious about Amawari's power, King Shō Taikyū asked Gosamaru, who helped Shō Taikyū's father invade Hokuzan in 1416, to build Nakagusuku Castle between Katsuren and the royal capital of Shuri.[2] In 1458, Amawari accused Gosamaru of plotting to overthrow the king, and as a result came to lead the royal armies in an attack on Nakagusuku which ended in Gosamaru's death by suicide.[2] The King discovered Amawari's treachery, and sent his army, led by Uni-Ufugusuku, to Katsuren Castle, where Amawari was defeated and executed.[2][3] It has been theorized that the entire affair was organized by the royal government, in order to remove both Gosamaru and Amawari as powerful rivals and potential threats to the succession.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Amawari." Okinawa rekishi jinmei jiten (沖縄歴史人名事典, "Encyclopedia of People of Okinawan History"). Naha: Okinawa Bunka-sha, 1996. p10.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Uezato, Takashi. Ryūkyū Sengoku Rekidan (in Japanese). Naha: Border Ink Publishing, 2015. 17, 22-29, 40-43, 58-67.
  3. ^ "知花城跡." おきなわ物語. Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau, n.d. Web. 27 Jan 2014. <http://www.okinawastory.jp/view/portal/0020220900/>.
  4. ^ "Gosamaru-Amawari no hen." Okinawa konpakuto jiten (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). Ryukyu Shimpo (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 25 July 2009.
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