Do you know that there are squirrels on the king’s throne at Shurijo Castle, the symbol of the Ryukyu Kingdom and the center of the magnificent Ryukyu Dynasty culture? Speaking of these squirrels, however, they are actually carved sculpture squirrels, and you can also find grapes that have been carved together with them. From long ago, grapes were not cultivated in Okinawa, and squirrels did not exist here, so it seems strange why this pattern of squirrels and grapes has been carved. At the center portion of the second floor of the Shurijo Castle Seiden is the Usasuka, the king’s throne area that is built higher than the floor. The bottom part of this platform is covered with siding panels on which several patterns of squirrels playing among vines with purple grapes growing on them have been carved.

As a matter of fact, it is thought that these patterns of grapes and squirrels have been introduced into the Ryukyus through the Silk Road from Central Asia, which is far away. Since grapes grow in large clusters and squirrels give birth to many offsprings, they are considered symbols of prosperity and fertility. The grape-and-squirrel designs are used not only in the Shurijo Castle Seiden but they have also been widely used in patterns on Ryukyu lacquerware.

Taking cute animals or beautiful plants that they had never seen and incorporating them into patterns for the king’s throne area, the ancient Ryukyuan people may perhaps have been romanticists. Grapes and squirrels on the king’s throne area as well as lions, dragons, and peony flowers – the Shurijo Castle Seiden is decorated with various plants and animals. Why not look for them when you visit the Seiden next time?

（Atsushi Koki）

• 
  The grape-and-squirrel design has often been used as patterns on Ryukyu lacquerware.
  Kuro urushi budō risu haku-e hakkaku jikirō
  Black Lacquer Octagonal Food Container with Grapes and Squirrels, Gold Leaf
• 
  Squirrels and grapes are depicted below the king’s throne area in the center portion of the second floor of the Shurijo Castle Seiden.