Furusutobaru Castle
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 | |
 | |
| 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
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
- "Furustobaru Remains". kunishitei.bunka.go.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-08-13.
- 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.