Izena Castle

Izena Castle 伊是名城
Izena, Okinawa, Japan
Type	Gusuku
Site information
Controlled by	Chief of Iheya Island (14th century-15th century) Ryūkyū Kingdom (15th century–1879)  Empire of Japan (1879–1945) United States Military Government of the Ryukyu Islands(1945-1950) United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands(1950-1972)  Japan(1972-present)
Open to the public	yes
Condition	Ruins
Site history
Built	early 14th century
Built by	Samekawa
In use	early 14th century-16th century
Materials	Ryūkyūan limestone, wood
Garrison information
Occupants	Samekawa, Aji of Izena Magiri

Izena Castle (伊是名城, Izena-jo, Okinawan: Ijina Gushiku^[1]) is a Ryūkyūan gusuku on Izena Island. It was built around the 14th century by Samekawa, son of the Yogura Chief of Iheya Island. It is built over a limestone outcrop about 100 metres (330 ft) above sea level on the south eastern side of the island.^[2] The castle has three sides which are near vertical cliffs; the south, west and east faces of the castle are rock cliffs, while the northern side provides entry to the castle through a series of steps cut into the hill. There are several chambers in the castle which are separated by walls, built with piled-up pieces of Ryūkyūan limestone, 3 metres (9.8 ft) in height.^[2] The chambers have many sacred relics such as utaki (holy enclosures of the Ryūkyūan religion) and also celadons, , and other important objects, which are also seen in other gusuku sites. King Shō Shin built Izena Tamaudun near the castle.

References[]

Coordinates: 26°54′53″N 127°57′09″E / 26.914685°N 127.952410°E / 26.914685; 127.952410 (Izena Castle Site)

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