Furusutobaru Castle (フルスト原城, Furusutobaru jō) is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Ishigaki, Okinawa. It is located on Ishigaki Island next to Miyara Bay. It was listed as one of the Historic Sites of Japan in 1978.[1]
| Furusutobaru Castle フルスト原城 | |
|---|---|
| Ishigaki, Okinawa | |
 | |
  Furusutobaru Castle フルスト原城  Furusutobaru Castle フルスト原城 | |
| Coordinates | 24°21′1.73″N 124°11′43.80″E / 24.3504806°N 124.1955000°E |
| Type | Gusuku |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public | yes |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Site history | |
| In use | 15th century–1500 |
| Materials | Ryukyuan limestone, wood |
| Battles/wars | Attacked by Nakasone Toyomiya (1500) |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Oyake Akahachi |
 | |
History
editFurusutobaru Castle (the Okinawan word for castle is gusuku, though on Ishigaki they are called tsuku). Fusutobaru-tsuku is said to be the residence of Oyake Akahachi, although there is no evidence of this link, and its origins are obscure. Akahachi was from the neighbouring island of Hateruma, and through strength and charisma, he managed to convince the other chieftains and lords of the Yaeyama Islands to follow him, then declared that Yaeyama would not pay mercilessly heavy tribute to the Ryukyu Kingdom.[2] When this news came to Naha, the court commanded the ruler of Miyako Island, Nakasone Toyomiya to invade and suppress of Yaeyama.[2] Miyako's forces landed in Miyara Bay in 1500.[2] Akahachi was killed, and Nakasone would go on to conquer the rest of Yaeyama and then submitted them to King Shō Shin.[2] The extent to which this story connects with this castle remains moot.
Archaeological finds
editThe site sits on a ridge overlooking Miyara Bay. There are 15 walled enclosures, a few of which have been excavated.[3] Finds include local pottery, white porcelain and celadon from China, and the bones of horses and cows.[4][5]
References
edit- ^ "Furustobaru Remains". kunishitei.bunka.go.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-08-13.
- ^ a b c d Uezato, Takashi. 琉球戦国列伝―駆け抜けろ!古琉球の群星たち! (in Japanese). Naha, Borderink, 2012. Page 33, 84–87.
- ^ Pearson, Richard. Ancient Ryukyu: An Archaeological Study of Island Communities. Honolulu, University of Hawaii Press, 2013. Page 170–171.
- ^ フルスト原遺跡 [Furusutobaru Site] (in Japanese). Okinawa Prefecture. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
- ^ フルスト原遺跡の概要 [Overview of the Furusutobaru Site] (in Japanese). Ishigaki City. Archived from the original on 2 May 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2015.