The person who went on to unify the people of the Ryukyu Kingdom and found the capital city of Shuri was named Shō Hashi. Despite being able to accomplish this, the kingdom itself was still unstable and the seeds of rebellion could be seen throughout the nation. The role of Emperor would be passed on to a different person every 5 years due the short lifespan.

Throughout this tumultuous period, one man, Gosamaru, served from generation to generation of kings into his prime of 50 years old. Then one day, the sixth king, Shō Taikyū, made a proclamation.

“Amawari of Katsuren Castle has been showing some concerning signs. I want you to watch over Amawari from Nakagusuku Castle which sits between Shuri and Katsuren.” Orders from a King cannot be questioned. And with that, Gosamaru began residing in Nakagusuku Castle, and began to fortify its structure. He spent over ten years turning the castle into a formidable stronghold.

On the other hand, Amawari, who had taken control of Katsuren Castle after overthrowing his predecessor, sat vigilantly watching for a chance to take over the throne.
“My goal is to take over Shuri, but Nakagusuku Castle stands in the way. I’ve heard that Gosamaru has been strengthening the fortress…first things first, Gosamaru has got to go.” The daring Amawari then went straight to Shuri himself with a secret confession for Shō Taikyū.

“That Gosamaru that you entrusted with Nakagusuku? He is strengthening the fortress so he can attack Shuri. He has betrayed the kingdom and is plotting a rebellion!”
Shō Taikyū knew that Gosamaru had been a loyal retainer to his family since before he was born. “What kind of foolishness are you saying?” Shō Taikyū　protested, but Amawari persisted.

“You think you are so safe, but if the worst was to happen, there would be no turning back.”

Giving into the pressure of Amawari, Shō Taikyū went on to send an envoy to check on the situation. Right around this time, Gosamaru was preparing his forces in case of an attack from Katsuren and running drills. The envoy, seeing this, presumed the worst. “It seems Gosamaru is preparing for war after all,” he announced to the courts. The surprised and confusedShō Taikyū appointed Amawari to suppress Gosamaru’s plans.

Amawari set his attack to happen on the day of the Harvest Moon banquet. In the middle of the night, while the troops were drunkenly lounging around the castle, he attacked. Gosamaru was completely taken by surprise. “So you have come Amawari, ready for a rebellion.” Gosamaru said to himself watching over the attack from the wall of the first district. Just then, something happened that left Gosamaru dumbfounded. He noticed that Amawari rode with the flag of the kingdom up above him. Amawari rode through the gates of Nakagusuku castle proclaiming, “ I have come under the orders of the king to subjugate Gosamaru for plotting rebellion.”

At this moment, Gosamaru understood Amawari’s scheme. His underlings all shouted, “There is no reason for us to be under attack! Let’s turn the tables on them!” To which Gosamaru barked back, “We will not!” To fight against Amawari in this situation would be to go against the Shuri Kingdom. Vexed by losing the trust of the royal family, Gosamaru assisted his family in seppuku and then took his own life as well.

Everything went exactly as Amawari had planned it. “And with this, the path to Shuri has been cleared!” Riding on the waves of his triumph, Amawari continued on to attack Shuri and was met with a crushing defeat. Even the ones who made their way back to Katsuren Castle were chased down by the subjugation forces.

After learning the truth of the situation, Shō Taikyū was filled with regret surrounding the death of Gosamaru. Though he wasn’t alive to hear this, Gosamaru stayed loyal to the very end. That story continues to be told even in the present day.