Shuri Castle

Shuri Castle was constructed sometime in the 14th Century A.D. and was in use by the kings of Chuzan from about 1322 onward.  It served as the palace of the Ryukyu Kings from 1429 to 1879.  During the Japanese invasion of 1609, the small Shimazu army marched rapidly on Shuri after the fall of Nakijin Castle to the north and, after a short battle, seized the castle, the palace within, and the King of Ryukyu on May 6th, officially ending Okinawa's independence for good.  The palace fell into neglect after Okinawa was officially annexed by Japan in 1879, and was used as a barracks by the Japanese troops garrisoned on Okinawa.  Shuri was all but destroyed in bitter fighting during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.  Reconstruction work on the castle began in 1992 and continues today.