Day two of the tour

The day two tour took us to the middle part of Okinawa and the viewing for several castle ruins that were important to the history of Okinawa. The first stop was Zakimi Gushuku.

Zakimi Gushuku was build by Gosamaru by having Yamada castle moved stone by stone via a human chain. Yamada castle was located a little over a mile away. This was quite a feat for the 15th Century.

The next stop was Murasaki Mura, a replica of ancient Shuri and the movie set for a mini-series, "Ryukyu no Kaze" - "Winds of the Ryukyu's" This was a movie about the Ryukyu Kingdom and the eventual take over by Japan. One of Taika Oyata's ancestors was involved in a rebellion against the take over, but lost his life as a result.

The next stop was Chibana Castle, site of Uni-Uhugushuku's grave marker. Uni-Uhugushiku was instrumental in the defeat of Awamari, a major enemy of Sho Taiku, ruler of Okinawa.

The next stop was Katsuren Castle, site of the castle ruins where Awmari was ruler. His ambitions to take over the kingdom was instrumental in the demise of Gosamaru, ruler of Nakagushuku, but who was eventually defeated by Uni-Uhugushiku.

The last stop was Nakagushuku Castle ruins. The castle of Gosamaru and a visit to Nakamura-ke, a replica of a rich retainer's home. The rains sort of dampened the last two stops, but everyone braved the down pour to take a first hand look at these historical site.