Tamaryo (Tamado) was built in 1501 by King Shoshin, the most powerful king of the Ryukyu Kingdom, in order to reinter the remains of his father, King Shoen, who was also the most powerful king of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
The tomb chamber is characterized by being divided into three chambers from left to right as you face it: the east chamber, the middle chamber, and the west chamber.
The middle chamber is a room where the remains are enshrined before the bones are washed. The king and queen were buried in the east chamber when it was first built, and the family members (princes and princesses) mentioned on the Okreung monument were buried in the west chamber.
The unique construction of Gyokreung is known as a “gable tomb” (a form of tomb with a triangular roof), and Gyokreung is also one of the oldest and largest gable tombs in Okinawa. Above each tomb chamber stands a stone lion as a guardian deity.
History felt from the Gyokureung Monument
In front of the mausoleum is the Tamaudunhi (玉陵碑). This inscription was erected in 1501 and describes the people who are to be buried in Tamaudung.
The inscription lists the names of King Sho Shin and eight others, and states that if they disobey this inscription, they “shall be exalted to the heavens and cursed on the earth.
It is said that the names of the first and second sons of King Shojin are not written, and it is believed that there must have been a conflict within the royal family. The fact that the temple has remained as it was when it was founded and has been here for more than 500 years gives one a sense of historical romance, but it also sends shivers down one’s spin
Resting place of the King, the East Guardhouse
The East Gobanjyu (東の御番所), located outside the gate of the mausoleum, is a guard station. In the days of the Kingdom of the Ryukyus, it was also a place for the king to take a rest when he came to visit the tombs.
There was a scene in the NHK drama “Tempest” in which Sun Yat-sen (the elder brother of the main character) is the guardian of the mausoleum. It was a moving moment when the historical Gyokureung overlapped with the history of Okinawa that I had seen in the drama. If you have not seen Tempest, please watch it. It will make your sightseeing in Okinawa more enjoyable.
Double the fun with the Machimai Guide!
In Naha City, there is a “Machimai” service that allows visitors to tour tourist attractions and hidden gems with a guide who knows the local area well. When I went to the mausoleum on my own for a walking tour, a tourist was touring the mausoleum with a Machimai guide and listening to his explanation.
I think you can enjoy the tour of the mausoleum more with a guide who can explain in detail and tell you about the highlights of the mausoleum!
About Naha Machimai▶那覇まちまーい
