After the recent Kincade wildfire in California, there the latest fire in Japan's Shuri Castle on the island of Okinawa
People in the fire zone are being evacuated but it is still unclear how many evacuees there are or how huge the fire is.
The flame started near the main hall of the UNESCO World Heritage Site based on the statement provided by the fire department in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture.
Shuri Castle was the seat of the kings of Ryukyu for almost 500 years.
The castle was entirely destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, and restoration work was only completed in the early 1990s.
The whole region was considerably broken during World War II, when Shuri Castle operated as the local headquarters for the Imperial Japanese Army.
At this very moment, it wasn't known what was to blame for starting the fire.
It wasn't immediately known what was to blame for starting the fire in Japan's Shuri Castle.
See Also: Kincade Fire in Sonoma County, California Spreads Rapidly Thursday Morning
Shurijo Castle is a World Heritage Site that Speaks of the Prosperous Ryukyu Kingdom
Little did we know that before the fire in Shurijo Castle, it is the majestic center of politics, diplomacy, and rich culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
During the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, Shurijo Castle was an image of total disaster but in 1992, commemorating the 20th year since Okinawa's reversion to Japan, Shurijo Castle was reestablished and opened as a national park.
The castle is known for its cultural and historical worth in the distinctive archeological style that combined the structural cultures of both China and Japan, as well as the extraordinary skills in the stonework, Shurijo Castle was listed as Japan's 11th World Heritage Site in December of 2000.
The dignified appearance of Shurijo Castle with its brilliant vermilion color speaks of the wonderful history and culture of the gratified kingdom and embodies Okinawa.
About Shurijo Castle
Shurijo Castle represents the history and culture of Okinawa, especially the Ryukyu Kingdom
Shurijo Castle is located on a small hill, surrounded by curving castle walls that shield numerous structures and facilities within. On the premises are numerous open squares and many sacred places. These features are not restricted to Shurijo Castle, but can also be seen at other castles in Okinawa, called Gusuku. The other Gusuku in Okinawa were crushed and destroyed in their rivalry with Shurijo Castle, while Shurijo maintained the features of Gusuku and persistently flourished.
Shurijo Castle was the royal dwelling for the king and his family, and at the same time, it operated as the Shuri Royal Government, a governing organization of the kingdom. It also was the main place for religious networks that performed the rituals and ceremonies of the kingdom, executed by the priestesses assigned at various locations throughout the land. In addition, performance arts and music prospered at Shurijo Castle and its neighboring areas, with many experts in the arts and crafts fields displaying and honing their skills. Shurijo Castle also played as the center of cultural arts in the kingdom.
