Zakimi Castle
{{Infobox military installation
|name=Zakimi Castle
座喜味城
|partof=
|location=Yomitan, Okinawa
|image=Zakimigusuku.jpg
|image_size=300px
|caption=
|open_to_public=yes
|type=Gusuku
|built=1416-1422
|builder=Gosamaru
|materials=Ryukyuan limestone, wood
|height=
|used=1422–
|demolished=
|condition=Ruins, partially restored
|ownership=
|controlledby=
|garrison=
|commanders=
|occupants=Gosamaru, Aji of Yomitan Magiri
|battles=
{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
|child = yes
|ID = 972
|Year = 2000
|Criteria = Cultural: ii, iii, vi
}}
| coordinates = {{WikidataCoord|display=it}}
| embedded = {{Infobox mapframe|wikidata=yes|zoom=16|marker=castle|coord={{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}}
| pushpin_map = Japan Okinawa Prefecture#Japan
| pushpin_label_position = top
| pushpin_map_caption =
| footnotes =
}}
{{nihongo|Zakimi Castle|座喜味城|Zakimi jō|Okinawan: Zachimi Gushiku{{cite web|url=http://ryukyu-lang.lib.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/srnh/details.php?ID=SN17232|title=ジャチミ|website=首里・那覇方言音声データベース|language=ja}}}} is a Ryukyuan gusuku in Yomitan, Okinawa. It is in ruins, but the walls and foundations have been restored. In 2000, Zakimi Castle was designated as a World Heritage Site, as a part of the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.
History
It was built between 1416 and 1422 by the renowned Ryukyuan general Gosamaru, a project which involved workers from as far away as the Amami Islands, and was partly constructed with materials taken from nearby Yamada Castle."Gosamaru." Okinawa konpakuto jiten (沖縄コンパクト事典, "Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia"). [http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-41392-storytopic-121.html Ryukyu Shimpo] (琉球新報). 1 March 2003. Accessed 25 July 2009. Zakimi Castle oversaw the northern portion of central Okinawa Island. The fortress has two inner courts, each with an arched gate. This is Okinawa's first stone arch gate featuring the unique keystone masonry of the Ryukyus.
Before and during World War II, the castle was used as a gun emplacement by the Japanese. After the war it was used as a radar station by the US forces. Some of the walls were destroyed to install the radar equipment, but they have been restored. Zakimi Castle and Okinawa's other castles were named World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in November 2000.
References
{{commons category|Zakimi Castle}}
- {{cite book | title=Japanese Castles| last=Motoo| first=Hinago| year=1986| publisher=Kodansha| location=Tokyo| isbn=0-87011-766-1| page= 200 pages}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles}}
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1422
Category:Houses completed in the 15th century
Category:World Heritage Sites in Japan
Category:Former castles in Japan