The main building in Shurijo Castle is the Seiden. The second floor is referred to as the “Ufu-gui” It is here where the royal family would hold the rituals for the other members of the royal family, and is considered a more private space. However, it is also thought that envoys from China would be invited into this space.
In the middle of the room sits the king’s throne. Adorned with many dragons, this throne was meant to symbolize the majesty of the Ryukyu King. However, among the dragons in this room, some of them are not of the Ryukyu King.
Take a look at the three framed pictures. These words were handwritten by the Emperor of China. In other words, the three dragons that lay within the framed pictures signify the majesty of the Chinese Emperor. Count the number of claws on the dragons. Those in the framed painting which were drawn by the Chinese emperor have 5 claws. The others, which represent the Ryukyu King, have only 4. It is said that this is supposed to represent the respect of the Ryukyu Kingdom as a retainer state of China.
The words written in these frames express celebration of the inauguration of the new king.“Chūzan Seito(中山世土)” was written by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. These words conveyed the hopes that the Ryukyu King (Chūzan) would forever rule over the Chinese Retainer State of Ryukyu. “Shūzui Kyūyō (輯瑞球陽” wishes happiness for the Ryukyu Kingdom. The other framed words, “Eiso Eizen (永祚瀛壖)” hold a similar meaning, conveying the Chinese Emperor’s hopes that “Ryukyu Kingdom across the ocean is forever blessed .” Before the war there were nine of these framed pieces, but now only three remain.
When looking up at these framed paintings, you may realize they have taken great care to preserve these pieces received long ago, but you also may be able to imagine the king as he welcomed the envoys.
Did you notice the second throne located next to the windows? This is the Karahafu we saw earlier. It is here that the king sits while looking out over his subjects during the New Year’s festival to greet them.
Commodore Perry is known as the American man who opened Japan to the rest of the world. Before he went to Japan, Perry also stopped in Ryukyu. However, when he visited, it was already under control of the Satsuma, and like the rest of Japan was isolated from any country other than China. Perry, who was American, was not a particularly desired guest and there was no reason to allow him to come to the island.
The people of Ryukyu tried to gently push him to leave, “Ryukyu is a small nation with no resources for you, please leave.” However, Perry persisted, “Listen up, lead me to your king.” Upon meeting Perry, the king could tell there would be nothing but trouble.The bureaucrats were troubled. They made excuses such as “The king’s mother is sick, so it is a bad time.” “The king is no longer young enough to be having these conversations.” In the end, they even made up a fictitious “higher up” they would need to confirm with before answering.
Growing impatient, Perry decided to push forth to Shurijo with or without invitation. Bursting through the gates of Shureimon, past Kankaimon, all the way into the plaza. However, no matter what he did, there was no way to enter the Seiden. He was stopped, and while he was able to be greeted in the Hokuden, in the end he went home without meeting the king.
The king, who was in a delicate situation, was probably looking out at Hokuden from the Seiden the whole time.