Synopsis

The islands of Okinawa Prefecture, nestled in the southern reaches of Japan, enjoy a subtropical climate. Once, they flourished as the Ryukyu Kingdom, a vibrant center of maritime trade. In this, the second of two explorations of Okinawa, we turn our attention to Shuri Castle, the kingdom's heart of political and cultural life. Historian Takara Kurayoshi recounts his work on the castle's reconstruction, recalling the profound sense of loss he felt in 2019 when a devastating fire reduced it to as