Ryukyuan Lacquerware > Reconstruction of Framed Letter or Picture

HOME > Process of Reconstructing Shuri Castle > Reconstruction of Framed Letter or Picture

Kankai Gate

The Kankai Gate is the first entry to Shuri Castle and believed to have been built by 1477. The gate is also called "Amae Ujo," which means "gate of great joy."

The plaque for this gate was reproduced in 1990 based on enlarged old pictures taken between the late Meiji era and the end of the Taisho era. The colors were selected in reference to the colors of the Seiden's Karahafu and sculptures of golden dragons and polychrome clouds for the Usasuka.

The polychrome clouds add beautiful colors to the decoration.

The sun is portrayed in the upper center of the plaque. The king of the Ryukyus was believed to be the son of the sun, or the sun god himself. The plaque for the Kankai gate includes a word - Mon - a Chinese character meaning "gate," which is not included in other plaques. This Chinese character is specially used for outer gates such as Kyukei and Keisei.