Purpose behind the Establishment of Shurijo Castle Park Tomo-no Kai

The Shurijo Castle Park Tomo-no Kai was established to engage in various projects and activities to enrich the quality, protect, and encourage the growth of Shurijo Castle Park, and at the same time, to cultivate mutual friendship among its members.

Main Projects and Activities

• Projects to Support Shurijo Castle Park
• Hosting of Shows, Lectures, and Research Seminars Related to Shurijo Castle Park
• Publication of the Shurijo Castle Park Tomo-no Kai Bulletin
• Hosting Historical Sites Tours, Tours of the Shurijo Castle Vicinities, Shurijo Castle Tours and others
• Inumaki (Buddhist Pine) Planting Ceremony
• Promotion of Mutual Friendship among Members
• Other projects and activities to achieve the objective of the Tomo-no Kai

To Become a Member

We’re accepting applications from those who support our cause and wishing to become a member.(All applicants are welcome.)

To apply, please fill in the required information in the Application Form and take it to the nearest bank (THE OKINAWA KAIHO BANK, The Bank of Okinawa, or Bank of The Ryukyus), post office, or to our Tomo-no Kai office together with the membership fee.

※Please contact the Tomo-no Kai office for application forms.
Telephone：098-886-2020

Annual Fee

Member Privileges

1. Special Admission to Shurijo Castle Park (Two free admission tickets, group discount by showing membership card)
2. Participation in lectures, observation tours, historical sites tours, and others hosted by Tomo-no Kai
3. Receive Tomo-no Kai Bulletins and others
4. Discounts on books published by Shurijo Castle Park Tomo-no Kai

Introduction of Shurijo Castle Research by Issue

Shurijo Castle Research Society Edition, Published by Shurijo Castle Tomo-no Kai
Listed Price (Each Issue): 926 Yen, Price for Members: 780 Yen, 1st Issue

1st Issue

• Date of Issue: 1994.12.01
• Total Number of Pages: 48

1. Ogoe ni Tsuite (about Ogoe (portrait of the kings)) by Toshio Uezu (8 Pages)
2. Ryukyu Okoku no Akakimikeshi – Karaginumo – (Akakimikeshi of the Ryukyu Kingdom – Karaginumo -) by Masaharu Ikemiya (5 Pages)
3. Shurijo Shogatsu Gishiki “Chohai Okishiki” Chosa Gaiho (summary report of Shurijo Castle New Year’s ritual “Chohai Okishiki” study) by Yukari Uehara (7 Pages)
4. Shurijo Seiden no Dairyuchu no Muki ni tsuiteno Oboegaki (memo regarding the direction faced by the Dairyuchu pillars at the Shurijo Castle Seiden) by Kurayoshi Takara (6 Pages)
5. “Okinawa-Ken Shuri Kyu Jo Zu” ni suite (about the illustrations of the former Shurijo Castle, Okinawa Prefecture) by Hiromu Taira (5 Pages)
6. Garasu Kanpan kara Miru “Ryukyu Kenchiku” (Ryukyuan architecture seen from the glass dry plates) by Kiyoshi Fukushima (5 Pages)
7. Iwaya Fujio-Kun no Omoide (memories of Fujio Iwaya) by Kaoru Monden (6 Pages)

2nd Issue

• Date of Issue: 1996.03.31
• Total Number of Pages: 42

1. Chugoku Kotei no Gyohitsu Hengaku to Shurijo (the framed writings by the emperor(s) of China and Shurijo Castle) by Masaharu Ikemiya (5 Pages)
2. Shurijo Seiden Kidan no Hensen (transition of the Shurijo Castle Seiden foundation) by Susumu Asato (10 Pages)
3. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Shozo no Ryukyu “Chuoseki” (Ryukyu Chuoseki from the collection of University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) by Kurayoshi Takara (2 Pages)
4. Kafu ni Tojo suru Eshi [Shiryo Shokai] (painter(s) introduced in the Kafu family registry records [introduction of records]) by Satoshi Tsuhako (5 Pages)
5. Shurijo Seiden Choshu Shiryo ni Miru Ryukyu Kenchiku no Shoso (aspects of Ryukyuan architecture seen from the records of the repeated restoration work of Shurijo Castle Seiden) by Kiyoshi Fukushima (5 Pages)
6. Koto Shuri no Machi-zukuri ni Mukete Rekishiteki Hensen no Kensho – 1 (Shuri Shisei 10 Shunen Kinen-shi ni Mieru Meiji Ikou no Hensen) (towards the development of Shuri, the old capital; verification of historical transitions – 1 (changes from the Meiji period seen in the publication commemorating the 10th anniversary of Shuri municipal organization)) by Eiji Miyagi (10 Pages)

3rd Issue

• Date of Issue: 1997.11.10
• Total Number of Pages: 48

1. Sho Nei Ou no Seishi tachi (the heirs of King Sho Nei) by Masaharu Ikemiya (5 Pages)
2. Shurijo Seiden Karahafu no Kigen to sono Kaishu ni tsuite: Ouken Girei no Butai Sochi no Tanjo (the origins of Shurijo Castle Seiden’s Karahafu and its restoration: birth of stage setting for royal ceremonies) by Tsutomu Iyori (19 Pages)
3. Jihai ni tsuite (About Jihai cups) by Kyoko Aguni (9 Pages)
4. Kinsei Kaizuri Bugyosho Seisaku no Chuojoku ni tsuite (central tables made by the Kaizuri Bugyosho in the early modern period) by Satoko Kinjo (8 Pages)

4th Issue

• Date of Issue: 1998.07.10
• Total Number of Pages: 52

1. Shurijo Seiden no Choshu Keika ~Doko 26 Nen (1846) Choshu wo Tsutaeru Sho-ke Bunsho no Yoten~ (the restoration progress of the Shurijo Castle Seiden ~points of the Sho family documents recording the restoration work conducted in the 26th year of the Doko era (1846) by Kurayoshi Takara (15 Pages)
2. Ryukyu Fukushoku-shi no Kadai (theme of dress and ornamental history of Ryukyu) by Eiji Miyagi (18 Pages)
3. Ryukyu to Suzu ni tsuite (about Ryukyu and tin) by Kyoko Aguni (7 Pages)
4. Sappo Gishiki ni Miru Kenchiku-zo (Jyo) (architectural image from the ceremonies of the Chinese investiture envoys (1st volume)) by Kiyoshi Fukushima (8 Pages)

5th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2000.0301
• Total Number of Pages: 50

1. Zamami Keiten no Kafu ~”Omorosaushi”, “Konkoukenshu” no Hensha ~ (family registry records of Zamami Keiten ~editor of Omorosaushi and Konkokenshu~) by Masaharu Ikemiya (5 Pages)
2. “Shurijo wo Yomu” (composing poetry on Shurijo Castle) by Yukiko Yamaguchi
3. Sappo Gishiki ni Miru Kenchiku-zo (Ge) (architectural image from the ceremonies of the Chinese investiture envoys (2nd volume)) by Kiyoshi Fukushima (5 Pages)
4. Shurijo Kobikimon-ura Saishu no Daichuryu Zanketsu (missing pieces of the Daichuryu pillars collected behind the Kobikimon gate of Shurijo Castle) by Susumu Asato (6 Pages)
5. Kinzoku Bunka no Sobyo ~Noro no Kanzashi ni tsuite~ (sketch of the metal culture ~about the hair ornaments of the Noro priestesses~) by Kyoko Aguni (21 Pages)
6. Shin-dai no Ryukyu Kokuou-in ni tsuite ~Ushinawareta Kokuou-in no Yukue~ (about the royal seal of the Ryukyu king during the Qing Dynasty ~locating the lost royal seal~) by Yasuyuki Uezu (7 Pages)
7. ~Shiryo Shokai, Shurijo Koen Shozo ~ Kuro Urushi Botan Karakusa Chinkin Hakkaku Jikiro (introduction of materials from the collection of Shurijo Castle Park ~ black lacquered octagonal layered meal carrier with peony and arabesque designs in gold inlay) by Satoko Kinjo (3 Pages)

6th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2001.07.01
• Total Number of Pages: 31

1. Den: Sho Tai Ou no Gokondate (explanation of the menu served to King Sho Tai) by Masaharu Ikemiya (8 Pages)
2. Chiho Noro ni yoru Shuri Nobori Seido no Henyo (changes in the system of visits to Shuri by regional Noro priestesses) by Ryoko Oshiro (7 Pages)
3. ~Shiryo Shokai, Koka Yonen Nento Shi Mochiwatari Ikkenmonjo ~Shurijo Koen Kanri Center Shozo Shiryo wo Chushin ni ~ (introduction of materials~ collective description of the historical documents from the 4th year of the Koka era (1848) ~centering on the collections from the Shurijo Castle Park Management Center~) by Yasuyuki Uezu (8 Pages)
4. ~Shiryo Shokai, Shurijo Koen Shozo ~ Shu Kuro Urushi Unryu Hakue Tunda-bun (introduction of materials from the collection of Shurijo Castle Park ~ Tunda-bun tray in red and black lacquer with dragon and clouds in gold leaf) by Satoko Nakakita (5 Pages)

7th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2003.03.31
• Total Number of Pages: 51

1. Noro to Hakuba to Uma no Kuchitori (Noro priestess and the white horse, and the stable boy) by Masaharu Ikemiya (6 Pages)
2. Tokyo Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan-zo “Machida-ke Bunsho” Chosa Memo (research memo on the Machida family documents from the collection of the Tokyo National Museum) by Kurayoshi Takara (3 Pages)
3. Taishi Sho Boku no Gokondate (explanation of the menu served to Prince Sho Boku) by Masaharu Ikemiya (1 Page)
4. Kikoe Okimi no Oaraori Girei wa Ohatsu Ji-iri ka? ~Iha Fuyu Irai no Tsusetsu Saiko~ (was the inauguration ceremony for the highest priestess Kikoe Okimi, the first one? ~reconsidering the common theory since Fuyu Iha~) by Tsutomu Iyori (16 Pages)
5. Oufu to Jinja ni tsuite ~Tokuni Sueyoshi-gu tono Kanrensei ni tsuite~ (about the royal government and shrines ~notably the relevancy to Sueyoshi-gu shrine) by Hiroyuki Arakaki (7 Pages)
6. Shu Urushi Kichi Ji-mon Botan Karakusa Shippo Tsunagi Chinkin Jikiro ni tsuite (red lacquered meal carrier with peony and arabesque design, with Kichi character crest and Shippo Tsunagi pattern in gold inlay) by Yasuyuki Uezu (12 Pages)

8th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2006.03.31
• Total Number of Pages: 63

1. “Haneji Shioki” ni Miru Shurijo no Oboegaki (memo on Shurijo Castle seen in the Haneji Shioki ordinance) by Hajime Takara (6 Pages)
2. Shurijo no Onna tachi ~Odaidokoro de Hataraku “Anebe” tachi~ (the women of Shurijo Castle ~the “Anebe” working in the big kitchen~) by Fusaaki Maehira (6 Pages)
3. Ryukyu (Okinawa) ni Okeru Jinja (Shinto) no Ryakushi (brief history of shrines (Shinto) in Ryukyu (Okinawa)) by Hiroyuki Arakaki (11 Pages)
4. Amami Okinawa no Kindai “Koen” to Minzoku Kukan (“parks” and ethnic spaces of Amami-Okinawa modern era) by Kenjiro Machi (25 Pages)
5. Ufumi-Udun no Yakuwari ~Kafu Shiryo wo Chushin ni~ (the role of Ufumi-Udun ~centering on the historical family registry~) by Ryoko Oshiro (25 Pages)

9th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2006.12.31
• Total Number of Pages: 71

1. Izena Tamaudun Chosa no Keika (research progress of Izena Tamaudun mausoleum) by Kurayoshi Takara (2 Pages)
2. Izena Tamaudun no Kenchiku Chosa Hokoku (architectural research report of Izena Tamaudun mausoleum) by Kiyoshi Fukushima (22 Pages)
3. Izena Tamaudun no Kokogakuteki Chosa (archeological research of Izena Tamaudun mausoleum) by Susumu Asato (17 Pages)
4. Izena Tamaudun no Nishi-shitsu Zushi no Meisho ni tsuite (about the inscriptions on the Zushi urn(s) placed in the western chamber in the Izena Tamaudun mausoleum) by Masayuki Dana (4 Pages)
5. Izena Tamaudun Ishi-Zushi no Takuhon ni tsuite (about the rubbings of the stone Zushi urns placed in the Izena Tamaudun mausoleum) by Satoshi Tsuhako and Satoshi Akamine (6 Pages)
6. Izena Tamaudun Kan Teikei Koro ni tsuite (about the three-legged incense burner of Izena Tamaudun mausoleum) by Satoshi Tsuhako (2 Pages)
7. Izena Tamaudun no Hisosha nit suite no Kento (study of the entombed at Izena Tamaudun mausoleum) by Kurayoshi Takara (12 Pages)

10th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2008.3.31
• Total Number of Pages: 52

1. Densei suru Senshoku Shiryo kara Mita Chu-Ryu Koeki-shi (history of trade between China and the Ryukyus seen from the dyes and weaving materials handed down the generations) by Yasuyuki Uezu (9 Pages)
2. “Ou-Daiki” ni Miru Ou (Seishi) to Kon-in shita Josei wo Meguru Shojyokyo ~Kon-in, Shussan wo Chushin ni~ (various circumstances of women who married the king (heir) as seen in the Ou-Daiki genealogy of the royal family ~centering on marriage and childbirth~) by Akiko Yamashiro (19 Pages)
3. Shuri Tamaudun no Sonzai Igi ni Kansuru Ichi Kosatsu ~”Ou-Daiki” ni Miru Hisosha Ninshiki no Hensen wo Tegakari ni shite ~ (a study into the significance of existence of Shuri Tamaudun ~ from clues in the changes in recognition of the entombed as seen in the Ou-Daiki genealogy of the royal family) by Aki Fukuchi (15 Pages)
4. Kenkyu Note: Same-ni Sukuwareta to Iu Ryukyu no Densetsu wo Megutte (research note: regarding the Ryukyuan legend of being saved by a shark) by Tasuku Nagasaki (5 Pages)

11th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2009.3.31
• Total Number of Pages: 72

1. Mori Masazo Shiryo no Mawashi Magiri Shinzu Bubun Shashin (partial photo of the Mawashi Magiri Shinzu from the collected records of Masazo Mori) by Susumu Asato (18 Pages)
2. Chuzan Seishi Sho Kan Hengaku no Genpon no Hakken (discovery of the original rectangular frame of Sho Kan, the senior envoy of Chuzan) by Yasuyuki Uezu (7 Pages)
3. Kinsei Ryukyu no Isha ni Kansuru Ichi-Kosatsu ~Igyo no Keisho to Ikan no Ninshoku no Mondai wo Chushin to shite~ (a study on medical practitioners in Ryukyu during the early modern period ~centering on the issues of succeeding the practice of medicine and ordination of medical officers~) by Shoko Katsuren (41 Pages)

12th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2010.3.31
• Total Number of Pages: 80

1. Rikagaku Chosa sareta Ryukyu Kaiga (physical and chemical examination conducted on Ryukyuan paintings) by Nobuyuki Hirakawa and Yasuyuki Uezu (8 Pages)
2. “Ogoe” Fukugen no Igi (significance of restoring Ogoe portraits of kings) by Kurayoshi Takara (3 Pages)
3. “Ogoe” Fukugen Jigyo no Keika Hokoku (progress report on the restoration project of Ogoe portraits of kings) by Kiyoshi Fukushima (4 Pages)
4. Ogoe wo Torimaku Kenkyu-shi (history of study surrounding the Ogoe portraits of kings) by Nobuyuki Hirakawa (9 Pages)
5. Ogoe no Shikisai ni Kansuru Jirei Chosa (Jyo) ~Senzen no Kiroku, Shogen, Genzon Jitsubutsu Shiryo wo Sanko to shite~ (case studies relating to the colors of the Ogoe portraits of kings ~with references to pre-war records, accounts, and remaining genuine materials) by Yasuyuki Uezu (12 Pages)
6. Ryukyu Kaiga oyobi Kanren Sakuhin no Saishiki Zairyo Chosa (study on the coloring materials used in Ryukyuan paintings and related pieces) by Yasuhiro Hayakawa (15 Pages) Naoto Yoshida, Chie Sano, Sadatoshi Miura
7. Ogoe no Monochro Kanpan Shashin kara Iro wo Yomitoru Kokoromi ni tsuite (experiments to capture the colorings of Ogoe portraits of kings through black and white dry plate photos) by Naoto Yoshida (6 Pages)
8. Chugoku Kaiga ni Mochiirareteiru Saishiki Zairyo (coloring materials used in Chinese paintings) by Sadatoshi Miura (3 Pages)
9. Seminar Report: From the commemorative seminar of the Tomo-no Kai general assembly held on June 6, 2009: Pigment analysis of Ryukyuan paintings – Mid-term report on the Ogoe portrait restoration project – by Sadatoshi Miura (10 Pages) Naoto Yoshida, Chie Sano
10. Excerpts translated from 『閩画史考』from Liang Guiyuan Fujian Fine Arts Publishing House by Shuko Maeda (4 Pages)
11. References (4 Pages)

13th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2011.3.31
• Total Number of Pages: 60

1. Ryukyu Kitte ni Miru Okinawa Bunka Hyosho ~Egakareta Okinawa, Shurijo~ (symbol of Okinawan culture seen in Ryukyuan stamps ~depictions of Okinawa, Shurijo Castle~) by Kyoko Aguni (9 Pages)
2. Kinsei Ryukyu ni okeru Iryou Katsudo no Shoso [Josetsu] ~Ikan/Iyaku no Katsudo wo Chushin to shite~ (aspects of medical activities in Ryukyu during the early modern period [Introduction] ~centering around the activities of medical officers~) by Shoko Katsuren (44 Pages)

14th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2012.3.31
• Total Number of Pages: 56

1. Shurijo no Obotsu-Yama (Obotsu-Yama mountain in Shurijo Castle) by Tsutomu Iyori (23 Pages)
2. Ishi Zushi no Saishiki Ganryo (color pigments on Ishi Zushi stone urns) by Hiroki Miyagi (12 Pages) Keiichi Ueda, Noriyuki Saito, Nao Aoyama
3. Itoman-shi Aza Itoman no Ninchubara Munchu-baka Chosa Hokoku (study report on the tomb of the Ninchubara clan in Itoman, Itoman City) by Hiroki Miyagi (12 Pages)

15th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2013.3.31
• Total Number of Pages: 60

1. Sho Iku Ou Ogoe no Fukugen Mosha Seisaku wo Oete (upon completing the Ogoe portrait replication of King Sho Iku) by Kayoko Karino (14 Pages)
2. Sho Iku Ou Ogoe Fukugen no tameno Monochro Satusei Jikken ni tsuite (black and white photography experiment for the purpose of restoring the Ogoe portrait of King Sho Iku) by Naoto Yoshida (4 Pages)
3. 首里王府の重要施設絵図調製事業 --安里 進（29頁）
4. 三つの「琉球国知行目録」 --金城 善（8頁）

16th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2014.3.31
• Total Number of Pages: 72

1. Bankoku Shinryo no Kane wa Dokoni Kakerarete itanoka – Shurijo no Jiho System to Shimazoe Azana Shoro no Jisho – (where was the Bridge of Nations Bell hung – time signals in Shurijo Castle and the time bell at the Shimazoe Azana bell tower –) by Susumu Asato (15 Pages)
2. Ie-ke Seishi Shomon kara Miru Shuri no Goninyo (Shuri Goninyo seen from the Ie family birth certificate) by Masaru Kinjo (18 Pages)
3. Kansho Haken ni Miru Ryukyu no “Kinsei” (the early modern period of Ryukyu seen from the dispatching of students to China) by Shuko Maeda (15 Pages)
4. Kamakura Yoshitaro ga Deatta Okinawa no Hitotachi (the people of Okinawa encountered by Yoshitaro Kamakura) by Kei Yonahara (20 Pages)

17th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2015.3.31
• Total Number of Pages: 64

1. Sho Hashi Ou Sekkan to Funjiru Yane-futa no Nazo (mystery of the stone coffin of King Sho Hashi and the roof cover of the Funjiru hearth) by Susumu Asato (17 Pages)
2. Shimajiri no Kinseki-bun wo Tazuneru (visiting the epigraph(s) in Shimajiri) by Masaru Kinjo (17 Pages)
3. Ryukyu Shikki Shuri no Kadai Bunkazai toshite Shorai ni Nokosu tameni (issues in repair work of Ryukyu Shikki lacquerware; to preserve them as cultural assets for the future) by Nanako Doi (5 Pages)
4. Ryukyu ni okeru Shinto no Denpa to Kagura ni tsuite (spread of Shintoism and Kagura Shinto music and dance in Ryukyu) by Hiroyuki Arakaki (12 Pages)
5. “Binchu Jyukkei” no Shokai Hyung Yang no Sakuhin wo Chushin ni (introduction to Binchu Jukkei, centering on works by Hyuan Yang) by Nobuyuki Hirakawa (7 Pages)

18th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2016.3.31
• Total Number of Pages: 56

1. Omoro Kenkyu-shi ni okeru Shuri Gusuku Image (image of Shuri Gusuku in the Omoro research history) by Tsutomu Iyori (17 Pages)
2. Ie Uekata Hinikki ni Miru Shurijo no Shisetsu to sono Yoto (Shurijo Castle facilities and their functions seen from the Ie Uekata Hinikki history book) by Kurayoshi Takara (6 Pages)
3. Ryukyu Ozoku no Saigu, Ogokuhan to Ukufan (implements used in ceremonies and rituals by the Ryukyu royalty; containers to hold offerings) by Tomio Koike (8 Pages) Yasuyuki Uezu, Susumu Asato
4. Kinsei Ryukyu-ki ni okeru Ryukyu no Shozoga – Chugoku no Sosenzo no Eikyo to Dokujisei – (Ryukyuan portraits in the early modern period in Ryukyu – influence of Chinese ancestral portraits and Ryukyuan uniqueness –) by Nobuyuki Hirakawa (18 Pages)

19th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2017.3.31
• Total Number of Pages: 52

1. Kinsei Koki no Ryukyu ni okeru Kiko Hendo Saigai no Tenkai to Shakai Taio – 1780 Nendai no Saigai to Ue karano Sonraku Tatenaoshi – (unfolding of calamities from mechanism change in the later part of the early modern period in Ryukyu and social responses – calamities in the 1780s and the restoration of villages from the top –) by Kosei Yamada and Masaki Sano (16 Pages)
2. “Tei Junsoku Gazo” no Seisakusha ni kansuru Kosatsu (a study on the creator of the Tei Junsoku portrait) by Nobuyuki Hirakawa (16 Pages)
3. Kyoto Ryo-ji (Saga Shaka-do) Denrai no Shu Urushi Botan Karakusa Chinkin Enkei Nidan Jikiro (round, double-layered Jikiro meal carrier in red lacquer with peonies and arabesque patterns in gold inlay, passed down from Ryo-ji temple (Saga Shaka-do) in Kyoto) by Satoko Kinjo (4 Pages)
4. Ryukyu Jireisho Ichiran-hyo no Tsuika Mokuroku (additions to the list of official Ryukyu letters of appointment) by Kurayoshi Takara (2 Pages)

20th Issue

• Date of Issue: 2018.3.31
• Total Number of Pages: 80
• Number Printed: 1st Printing (500)

1. Ogoe no Zuyoteki Tokucho ni tsuite – Higashi Asia Shokoku no Teiouzo tono Hikaku ni tsuite – (design features of Ogoe portraits – in comparison to the images of royalty in East Asian countries –) by Nobuyuki Hirakawa (23 Pages)
2. Nakagusuku Udun Ato Shutsudo Ihai no Hozon Shori ni tsuite (preservation treatment of mortuary tablet(s) excavated from the Nakagusuku Udun ruins) by Nao Aoyama (9 Pages)
3. Ogoe ni Egakareta Kashin-dan ni tsuite (ministers depicted in the Ogoe portraits) by Nobuyuki Hirakawa (23 Pages)
4. List of discussion themes provided for participation in the FM Okinawa “Ryukyu History” program, by Kurayoshi Takara (20 Pages)