Furusutobaru Castle
フルスト原城
Ishigaki, Okinawa
Furusutobaru Castle フルスト原城 is located in Okinawa Prefecture
Furusutobaru Castle フルスト原城
Furusutobaru Castle
フルスト原城
Furusutobaru Castle フルスト原城 is located in Japan
Furusutobaru Castle フルスト原城
Furusutobaru Castle
フルスト原城
Coordinates24°21′1.73″N 124°11′43.80″E / 24.3504806°N 124.1955000°E / 24.3504806; 124.1955000
TypeGusuku
Site information
Open to
the public		yes
ConditionRuins
Site history
In use15th century–1500
MaterialsRyukyuan limestone, wood
Battles/warsAttacked by Nakasone Toyomiya (1500)
Garrison information
OccupantsOyake Akahachi
Map

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]

History

Furusutobaru Castle is best known as the residence of Oyake Akahachi. Through charisma, he managed to convince the other chieftains and lords of the Yaeyama Islands to follow him, then declared that Yaeyama would not pay tribute to the Ryukyu Kingdom.[2] He then proposed an invasion of Miyako Island, which, after hearing of these plans, Nakasone Toyomiya of Miyako then led a preemptive invasion of Yaeyama.[2] Miyako's forces landed in Miyara Bay and attacked Furusutobaru Castle in 1500.[2] Nakasone would go on to conquer the rest of Yaeyama and then submitted to King Shō Shin when faced with the Ryukyuan army.[2]

Archaeological finds

The 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

  1. ^ "Furustobaru Remains". kunishitei.bunka.go.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-08-13.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Pearson, Richard. Ancient Ryukyu: An Archaeological Study of Island Communities. Honolulu, University of Hawaii Press, 2013. Page 170–171.
  4. ^ フルスト原遺跡 [Furusutobaru Site] (in Japanese). Okinawa Prefecture. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  5. ^ 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.
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