Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
2
NAKAMURA HOUSE
中村家住宅
A stone's throw up the road, less than three-quarters of a mile (1 kilometer) north from the
Nakagusuku Castle ruins, is Nakamura House (
中村家住宅
; Nakamura-ka jūtaku). It's an es-
pecially well-preserved example of a fine residence owned by a wealthy family. It dates from
the mid-18th century. The Nakamura family is said to have been the municipal head of the
Nakagusuku region at that time. The museum is a little time capsule into another age and
way of life. There are a few similar museums in the Ryukyus like this: one on Kumejima, one
in Ishigaki and one in the Keramas. Each presents a real look into an “old” Okinawa that es-
sentially no longer exists.
The overall site measures a little more than 16,145 square feet (1,500 square meters) and
includes an eight-room main residence plus several outlying structures for storage and an-
imals. Entering the main stone gate, a large horizontally set stone slab separates the house
from the gate. This is the Hinpun (
ヒンプン
), a protective barrier believed to prevent evil
spirits from entering. On top of the house roof, staring down, is the inimitable Okinawan
shīsā
lion dog, another type of talisman said to keep away unwelcome spirits. The property
is also protected from more mundane dangers like typhoons by its surrounding stone walls
and Fukugi trees. These straight, tall, sturdy trees are over 250 years old. With their tough,
evergreen, leathery leaves, they were once commonly planted around Okinawan residences
to act as windbreaks during storms.
Nakamura House courtyard and well.
3
SHINTO SHRINE IN FUTENMA
普天間権現
From Nakamura House it's almost 1.75 miles (3 kilometers) west to our next stop, the Shinto
Shrine in Futenma (
普天間権現
; Futenma gongen, usually shortened to Futenma-gū). The
village is part of Ginowan City and the shrine is only a few meters of the busy road. Most
people drive right past, never noticing that there is a flight of stairs up behind a
torii
gate
and several buildings above. There's a set of caves below, but they are not visible. The shrine
was commissioned five centuries ago by King Sho Kinpuku during the first Sho Dynasty. For
