Honoring generations of kings and praying for the restoration of Shuri Castle Ushimi at Tamaudun and Fungaku Sanryo

Honoring generations of kings and praying for the restoration of Shuri Castle Ushimi at Tamaudun and Fungaku Sanryo

Chin-udun descendants perform the shi hairei (March 28, Fungaku Sanryo in Shuri Yamagawa, Naha)


March 29, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On March 28, the Ushimi, a ritual visit, was performed at Tamaudun Royal Mausoleum in Shuri Kinjo and at Fungaku Sanryo in Shuri Yamagawa, both in Naha. Generations of monarchs of the Second Sho Dynasty of the Ryukyu Kingdom are entombed at Tamaudun, and Fungaku Sanryo is the Chin-udun cemetery.

 

Due to measures intended to prevent the spread of Covid 19, the ceremony this year was smaller than in normal years. Advisor Yu Sho and Choshu Kinjo from the Chin-udun Munchu Kai, an association of Chin-udun descendants, participated in the Ushimi at Tamaudun, honoring generations of kings. Sho also brought his hands together facing the direction of Shuri Castle, and said, “We pray for the castle to be restored as soon as possible.” At the same time, Takeru Sho, of the 24th generation of direct descendants of the Second Sho Dynasty, performed the yohai, or a prayer from afar, in Tokyo.

 

Afterwards, at the Ushimi held at Fungaku Sanryo, offerings were made of chicken, pork, sugarcane, and manju. Participating descendants of the Chin-udun performed the shi hairei, in which an individual kneels, brings their hands together in prayer, bows with their forehead touching the ground, and stands, repeating the series of motions four times.

 

After the abolition of the han system and establishment of the prefectures of Japan, members of the Chin-udun Munchu Kai, who descend from King Sho Kyu, father of Sho Ho, eighth king of the dynasty, have performed the Ushimi at Tamaudun every year, except during the Battle of Okinawa.

 

(English translation by T&CT and Ellen Huntley)

 

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