October 31, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo online edition
In response to the Shuri Castle fire, the Okinawa prefectural government held a task force meeting on October 31 at the Prefectural Office.
Governor Denny Tamaki read out a message for the Okinawan people and made known his strong determination to restore Shuri Castle.
Governor Tamaki said, “We will do our utmost to restore Shuri Castle as soon as possible with the cooperation of the government, concerned organizations in Japan and abroad, the people of Okinawa, the people of Japan, and Uchinanchu around the world.”
Governor Tamaki also went to Tokyo on October 31.
On November 1 he requested cooperation with a status report in an interview with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga at the prime minister’s official residence, in a visit to the Cabinet Office, and in a visit to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Given that there are calls rolling in from Okinawa and overseas voicing the desire to aid in the restoration of Shuri Castle, the Okinawa prefectural government is working toward opening an account in preparation for contributions.
On October 31 Governor Tamaki cut his scheduled visit to South Korea short to return to Okinawa, and went directly to Shuri Castle shortly after noon.
Thereafter, Governor Tamaki summoned the heads of each department to form the Shuri Castle fire task force meeting in an endeavor to grasp the information available, and issued instructions to the Task Force so as to be prepared to the greatest degree possible.
The message Governor Tamaki read aloud to the Okinawan people contained the following statements: “The sense of loss enveloping [the Okinawan people] cannot be expressed in words, and there are many truly heartbreaking memories.
However, Shuri Castle is simultaneously a symbol of the Ryukyu Kingdom and adorns the heart of its history and culture.
The strong feeling that we must certainly restore [Shuri Castle] has boiled up”.
As concerns the heads of the Prefectural Office departments, the message states: “Approaching the sense of loss felt by Okinawans from all directions is crucial, I ask that we earnestly grapple with certainly putting [Shuri Castle] back up together.”
Moritake Tomikawa emphasized, “All Okinawans were shocked and stricken upon receiving [this news].
Shuri Castle is Okinawa’s identity and the heart of Okinawa’s spiritual culture. Uchinanchu from Okinawa, outside of Okinawa, and overseas are voicing their desire to help.
I hope the perspective that it is crucial to regain [what was lost] is widely received.”
After the task force meeting, Governor Tamaki held a press conference and said: “We must restore [Shuri Castle].
I humbly ask that many people lend their strength toward restoration. Okinawa Prefecture will grapple with this with complete devotion.”
The message for Okinawans that Governor Tamaki read aloud is as follows.
Around 2:47 a.m. this morning, fires broke out at the main temple of Shuri Castle among other structures.
Hereafter the sites of the fires will be inspected. The residents neighboring these fires, Okinawan citizens, and those in affected places were greatly troubled and think this is terribly regrettable.
Many lives were lost in the great battle in Okinawa, also lost were many valuable things including cultural heritage and documents, including Shuri Castle.
After the war, Okinawans wanted to restore Shuri Castle and many people also took up this helm.
These fastidious efforts took shape in Heisei 4, welcoming 20 years since the return [of Okinawa to Japan].
Now circumstances have turned back to those of bygone days.
Both the restored Shuri Castle and the one from the Ryukyu Kingdom era have come to be used for precious cultural assests in dyeing, weaving, lacquerware, and the like.
They are also known to many tourists as symbols of the historical/cultural journey of Ryukyu into Okinawa, and a foundation of Okinawan identity.
These fires burned down structures including Shuri Castle’s main temple right in front of our eyes, and many people are feeling great shock, starting with Okinawans.
Personally, I quickly canceled my schedule, including my sightseeing, business, and administrative visit to South Korea in order to return to Okinawa, and came directly to Shuri Castle to check the site of the fires.
The sense of loss enveloping [the Okinawan people] cannot be expressed in words, and there are many truly heartbreaking memories.
However, Shuri Castle is simultaneously a symbol of the Ryukyu Kingdom and adorns the heart of its history and culture.
The strong feeling that we must certainly restore [Shuri Castle] has boiled up.
We will do our utmost to restore Shuri Castle as soon as possible with the cooperation of the government, concerned organizations in Japan and abroad, the people of Okinawa, the people of Japan, and Uchinanchu around the world.
I earnestly ask for everyone’s understanding and cooperation.
(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)
