～Welcoming the Joys of the New Year at Shurijo Castle～

Chohai Okishiki was a New Year’s ritual held on New Year’s Day at Shurijo Castle during the period of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
The king and officials of Ryukyu aligned themselves at the Una and held solemn and magnificent ceremonies in the Chinese style.
We hope you will enjoy a New Year’s Celebration of the Ryukyu Kingdom that brilliantly colors the start of another year.

Details

Date

January 1 (Tue/Holiday) to January 3 (Thu), 2019

Time

8:30 to 17:00

Location

Una Court in Front of the Shurijo Castle Seiden, other
※To view the ceremony held at the Una in front of the Shurijo Castle Seiden, admission fee is required.

Program

• Uzagaku Performance
• Chohai Okishiki
• Appearance of the King and Queen
• Ryukyu Performing Arts Banquet
• Serving of Tea and Amazake

See Video

Uzagaku Performance

After the Ukejo gate-opening ceremony, there will be an Uzagaku performance on the Seiden podium for an impressive and solemn welcoming of the visitors.

Date

January 1 (Tue/Holiday) to January 3 (Thu), 2019　

Time

8:30 to 8:50

Location

Shurijo Castle Seiden (Paid Admission Area)

Chohai Okishiki

The New Year’s ritual held in the morning of the New Year in the Ryukyu Kingdom period will be reenacted in three parts.

Date

January 1 (Tue/Holiday) and January 2 (Wed), 2019　

Location

Una Court in Front of the Shurijo Castle Seiden (Paid Admission Area)

Part I: Ninufanu Unufe

A national celebration of the New Year attended by the king, government officials and representatives among the commoners. It was a ceremony to pray to the god in the heavens for peace and tranquility.

Time: 10:00 to 10:25

Part II: Chonu Unufe

This New Year’s ceremony saw the various ministers of the kingdom pledge their allegiance to the king and at the same time, to celebrate his life, and pray for the prosperity of Ryukyu Kingdom.

Time: 10:50 to 11:10

Part III: Otori

The king and various ministers passed around a cup and drank Awamori, a valuable drink at the time, and gave thanks to the king and to pray for the prosperity of the king, princes, and the royal descendants.

Time: 11:25 to 11:50

Appearance of the King and Queen

Accompanied by the music of Uzagaku, the king and queen will make their appearance from the Seiden.

Date

January 3 (Thu), 2019

Time

10:00 to 10:20, and 11:00 to 11:20
※Held twice.

Location

Una Court in Front of the Shurijo Castle Seiden (Paid Admission Area)

Ryukyu Performing Arts Banquet (Ryukyu Buyo Dance, Local Folk Performing Arts)

There will be fascinating performances of Ryukyu Buyo dance forged and developed in Shurijo Castle, as well as folk performing arts of various local areas which have been passed down the generations.

Date

January 1 (Tue/Holiday) to January 3 (Thu), 2019

Time

12:30 to 13:00, 13:30 to 14:00,
14:30 to 15:00, 15:30 to 16:00,
and 16:30 to 17:00
※Five performances a day.

Location

Shichanu Una (Free Admission Area)

Serving of Tea and Amazake

A celebratory sake of Amazake (0% alcohol content) and tea will be distributed to the visitors.
※Only until supplies last.

Date

January 1 (Tue/Holiday) to January 3 (Thu), 2019

Time

8:30 to 17:00

Location

Shichanu Una (Free Admission Area)

Appearance by the Shurijo Castle Mascot, Satunushi

Date

January 1 (Tue) to January 3 (Thu), 2019

Time

14:00, 15:00, 16:00 (30 minutes each)

Location

Grass Square at Suimuikan