This is the site of the shrine and residence of Kikoe-okimi Ganashi (Chifijinganashi), the supreme priestess of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Basic information

Address

903-0806 2-55 Tera-cho Shuri Naha Okinawa

Business hours

Nothing in particular

Close day

Nothing in particular

Charge

Free

Parking

None

Access information

A 1-minute walk from the monorail station Shuri. Next to the Shuri Junior High School main gate.

Additional Information

Academic information

This is the site of the shrine and residence of Kikoe-okimi Ganashi (Chifijinganashi), the supreme priestess of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
During the reign of King Sho Shin (1477～1526), the Ryukyu Kingdom formalized the hierarchy of priestesses. Leading the sacerdotal hierarchy was Kikoe-okimi who prayed for the longevity of the King, the prosperity of the Kingdom, abundant harvests, and safe voyages. From the first Kikoe-okimi, the position was always held by a princess or by the king’s mother; 15 successive Kikoe-okimi reigned until the Kingdom’s annexation by Japan, in 1879. The Oaraori (Ua-rauri) ceremony marking Kikoe-okimi’s inauguration. For the ceremony, the party left from Shuri Castle, and through Yonabaru-Sashiki, reached the sacred place-Sefa-utaki at Chinen Magiri. There rituals like "Kudaa-jima Youhai" were performed. (The worship viewing Kudaka can be seen in the distance).
According to the “Shuri-kochizu” (Old map of Shuri) (early 18th century) made during the Kingdom era, the official abode of the Kikoe-okimi was located in Tishiraji (now Tera-cho), Onaka-son (now Onaka-cho), and the last residence was a Tera-cho property of some 3,000 tsubo (9,900sqm). With the dissolution of the Kingdom, the Udun was moved to Nakagusuku-udun (currently the Okinawa Prefectural Museum), and during the Meiji era, the land and building of Kikoe-okimi Udun were sold off to a private owner and converted to agricultural fields.
In 1929, Okinawa Prefectural Normal School as a site for agricultural training and dormitories bought the land. Following the battle of Okinawa, it became part of Shuri Junior High School.

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Naha City Museum of History