Basic Repairs on the Dragon Pillars which Remained Standing After the Fire at Shuri Castle

Basic Repairs on the Dragon Pillars which Remained Standing After the Fire at Shuri Castle

One of the dragon pillars in front of the main hall of Shuri Castle. Scaffolding was constructed in preparation for the repairs. Pieces of the pillar have broken off at the mouth and head. (Morning of February 27, Shurijo Castle Park, Naha)


February 28, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 27, in Shurijo Castle Park, Naha, Okinawa, basic repairs began on the Giant Dragon Pillars that were damaged in the Shuri Castle Fire. The fire destroyed parts of the castle, including the main hall, last October.
　
According to the Okinawa General Bureau, the pillars will be protected in their current location until Golden Week in May, when the site of the fire will be opened to the public.

After that, the pillars will be moved into the park where repairs will be conducted on cracked sections.

“All of Japan is interested, not just Okinawans,” says Takehiko Suzuki, Director of the Okinawa Commemorative National Government Park Office.

Visitors to the park will be able to see how repairs are going.
　
The site was opened to the press on the 27th. The dragon pillars which survived the fire are made of fine-grained sandstone from Yonaguni Island.

Each is approximately 3.1 meters tall and weighs 1.5 tons. The pillars stand facing each other in front of the main hall, which burned to the ground.

In addition to surface discoloration, the pillars also exhibit cracks and some breakage due to the fire. General Bureau staff plan to conduct a thorough survey of the damage soon.

(English translation by T&CT and Ellen Huntley)

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