Shigandang and stone walls

Shigandang is a Chinese amulet custom. In Okinawa, evil spirits and demons are collectively called [Majimun]. [Majimun] is said to have the property of going straight when wandering, and when it hits the end of a junction or a three-way junction, it enters into the house directly. Therefore, a stone monument with the characters of "Shigandang" is built at the end, or a stone plate with the characters is attached to the wall to prevent the invasion of [Majimun]. [Majimun] who saw Shigandang is said to be broken.

The "stone fence" that can be seen around the mansion in Okinawa is made by stacking coral limestone that was carried from the coast when a new house was built, and by carrying stones that were produced during the development and cultivation of upland fields. It is said that some of them were stacked up, and the scenery is engraved with the individuality of the inhabitants. In contrast to Nozura-zumi (naturally stacking up) in ordinary private houses, in wealthy mansions stones are stacked up in ［Aikata-zumi］style and ［Nuno-zumi］style, which can also be seen in Gusuku.
There are subtle differences in the stone-stacking method between the private houses in Native Okinawa Village.