"Nunodzumi" Coursed Masonry
The earliest coursed masonry belongs to the simplest of techniques. The stones are cut into rectangular shapes and piled up like tiered boxes. Accordingly, in the finished state the joints of the borders where the length and breadth of the stones come into contact are clearly expressed. It is, however, structurally vulnerable.
�@When coursed stone masonry developed to an extent, the stones were first shaved and piled, and then small stones were inserted in the cracks. Smaller stones are placed between the larger ones.
�@When in a further developed state, this style can be illustrated by the Chinese character romanized as "Hin" or "Shina," which looks like three stacked boxes, two on bottom and one on top. The two stones on the bottom equally divide the weight of the one piled on top. Within the classification of coursed masonry, this method of laying provides the most stability.
Gusuku Sites with Ramparts Utilizing Nunodzumi Coursed Masonry:
The ruins of Zakimi, Nakagusuku, Katsuren and Shuri castles

"Aikatadzumi" Fitted Masonry
Aikata fitted techniques involve taking the quarried stone and processing each into quadrangular, pentagonal, or hexagonal faces. The stones are then coursed in close to a natural engagement with each other. Due to the diversity of angles on the rock, the edge portion of the masonry is extremely jagged. In the process of Aikata development, pentagonal and hexagonal processing techniques were improved and, despite the complexity of the rock edges, builders were able to achieve stability to the degree that the coursed stones meshed together. This perfected masonry technique can be recognized in such structures as the third stone wall enclosure of the ruins of Nakagusuku Castle. The Aikata technique of fitted masonry became the most popular one for castle ramparts and stone wall construction.
Gusuku Sites with Ramparts Utilizing Aikatadzumi Masonry Technique:
The ruins of Zakimi, Nakagusuku, and Shuri castles