Village Design

Learn the traditional design of a village and meet the people from ancient times!

With a small hill (Koshiate, or Kusate, forest) behind it, a village is traditionally built southward along the side or the lower slopes of the hill. Positioned in the center (or to the left or right) of the highest point in the village is the house of the head family, and located at the second highest point are dwellings of second-ranked families on either side of the head family's residence.
From that point downward, the other families spread across the foot of the hill. Behind the house of the head family is the Utaki, a sacred area to enshrine a village protector, which is connected by a pathway.

Nirai Kanai, a divine place to invoke Gods, is believed to bring villages happiness and peace from the ocean. This sacred place is always located atop a hill, or at a place with an ocean view. This is an example on how Okinawan people incorporate water and forests when building their villages.

• Utaki (Sacred Grove)
• Nirai Kanai Place of Worship

・ Use of the term “Mura” (village) began around the time when the Shimazu family from the Satsuma domain first set foot in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Prior to that time, it was called “Makyo (Maki),” signifying a unified community.
・ A small hill (Koshiate, or Kusate, forest) is a place where a God is enshrined.
・ The heart of the Utaki where a God is enshrined is called “Ibi.” Placed in front of the Ibi is a stone plinth and incense burner.