Do you know that in 1853, Commodore Perry, an American military officer who urged Japan to open itself to the world, came to the Ryukyus and even visited Shurijo Castle before going to Uraga in Japan?
At the time, to keep pace with Western countries that had advanced to Asia, the United States intended to have the Ryukyus, which was an important hub for the United States to advance to East Asia, open itself to the world and have a base constructed there for supplying coal necessary for steam ships as well as for supplying goods to American ships.
Upon coming to the Ryukyus, Perry first strongly demanded that he be allowed to visit Shurijo Castle. The reason was that by bringing his army to the castle where the king and his family lived, Perry intended to gain an advantage in conducting negotiations in the future. The royal government set up a fake administrative agency to avoid having senior officials and the royal family come into direct contact with the Americans, but the royal government succumbed to Perry’s pressure and ended up opening the castle gates. However, the Ryukyuans let the Americans enter the Hokuden, and fake officials greeted the American mission. Although they were unable to prevent the Americans from visiting Shurijo Castle, which had never allowed foreigners visiting the Ryukyus to enter until then, the Ryukyuan government officials managed to defend the Seiden, which is the most important place in Shurijo Castle, as well as the Ryukyuan king and key officials. It can be seen that the Ryukyuan people at the time not only regarded Shurijo Castle as an administrative agency but also held a spiritual respect it.（Erina Nakamine）

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  Shureimon Gate
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  Shurijo Castle Seiden / Hokuden

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