Registration Date：2008.04.18
Appearance 1
Shisa (Okinawan folk dance that marks the end of the Bon festival)
Scars of War
Appearance 4
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This building was built in the southern part of the city during the most intense ground battles of the Pacific War, and miraculously survived the war. On the pillars of the corridor in front of the first and second seats, you can still see the fresh scars from the shells they received during the war. The relatives of the Kiyatake family often visit the house and reminisce about the time when the back seat was used as a study room. After the house was moved, it was used as a Bingata (traditional Okinawan dyeing) studio where visitors can experience the traditional dyeing process.
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Description
The Former Kyan Residence Main Building is a house that was built during the late Meiji Era (1868-1912) in the Aza-Nakaza district of Gushichan Village in Yaese Town, located in southern Okinawa Prefecture. This residence was built by the former Assembly Chair and fourth mayor of the village. The floor plan consists of, from the front right: "ichiban-za"(a guest room), "niban-za"(an altar room), a living room, a kitchen, and two "ura-za"(back rooms). "Ichiban-za"(the guest room)features a "Tokonoma" (decorative alcove) with a Buddhist altar, and a separate Shinto altar. The area in where this building was located (the southern part of the main island) was the site of the most fierce land battles of World War II, these buildings miraculously escaped the ravages of war and survived. As proof of this, the pillars along the corridor in front of "ichiban-za"(a guest room)and "niban-za"(an altar room) still bear fresh scars from shells it received during the war, and when the building was moved, two large undetonated bombs were found in the yard. Since its relocation, it has been used as a studio for “Bingata”, a traditional Okinawan fabric dyeing method, where demonstrations, sales, and hands-on workshops are available.
Okinawa was once an independent nation called the Ryukyu Kingdom. Its people traversed the seas and traded with other countries, adopting various cultures while developing a unique culture of their own. When you come here to Ryukyu Kingdom Castle Town, you feel like you have taken a trip in time back to that bygone era. The streets are lined with beautiful old houses with red tile roofs, people in dazzling Ryukyu clothing pass by, and tropical flowers decorate the streets.
This is a place where you can step back in time and experience the Ryukyu Islands of long ago, with surroundings that include the houses and “Fuuru” ( pigsty & latrine) more than 100 years old that are registered as National Tangible Cultural Properties, buildings known as "Kami Ashagi" where community religious rituals are said to have once been performed, and traditional houses featuring masonry that uses techniques unique to Okinawa.
Cultural property information
【Opening hours】
9:00-17:30 (last admission 16:00)
【Closing day】
-
【Fee】
Adult: 2,000 yen, Child: 1,000 yen *Child is between the ages of 4 and 14; 15 and older are charged at the adult rate. Admission is every 20 minutes from Gyokusendo. Web advance tickets are available until the day before admission. On the day of admission, please purchase tickets directly at the Okinawa World ticket counter.
Back to cultural properties in Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture
