Sonohyan-utaki, Sacred limestone gate at Shuri Castle, Okinawa, Japan
Sonohyan-utaki is a sacred limestone gate made from coral stone with sandstone trim, located in Shuri Castle Park. The structure displays carved decorative details along its rafters and gables, reflecting the craftsmanship of its age.
The gate was built in 1519 under King Sho Shin's rule as part of the royal architecture of Ryukyu. After being damaged in 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa, it was restored in 1957.
The gate was a place where Ryukyuan kings prayed before traveling and served as a setting for ceremonies of high priestesses. Visitors can still see how important this location was for the spiritual life of the royal family.
The gate is located within Shuri Castle Park and is easy to reach on foot from the main park entrance. It remains open year-round, and visiting during quieter times allows for a better view of the carved details.
The gates remain permanently closed and mark a boundary to the sacred grove behind them, which historically only Ryukyuan kings were allowed to enter. This separation shows the spiritual function of the place even today.
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