Okinawa, Japan 21: Shikinaen
Written & Directed by James Knott

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Shikinaen (Shikina Garden) is the largest second residence of the Ryukyu royal family. Come stroll the grounds with James Knott as he explores the history and architecture of this World Heritage site.

OKINAWA, JAPAN

Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture. Over 1.25 million people are scattered across nearly 150 islands.

Okinawa has a unique culture that goes back several hundred years to when it was an independent country known as the Ryukyu Kingdom. This kingdom was known to trade frequently with China and as a result adopted much more from the Chinese than the rest of Japan.

The main island, Okinawa-honto, is surrounded by vivid, bright blue ocean and coral reefs. It is densely populated and urbanized in the south, while the the mountainous northern part of the island consists of just a few fishing villages and dense forests.

The beautiful, sub-tropical setting combined with historical roots that are more intertwined with China than Japan, have created a wonderful culture that is distinctly Okinawan.

TRANSCRIPT
Okinawa, Japan 21: Shikinaen

WHEN THE RYUKYU ROYAL FAMILY NEEDED A BREAK, THEY TRAVELED ABOUT A MILE SOUTH TO THEIR LARGEST VACATION HOME – SHIKINAEN. THIS PEACEFUL GARDEN SITS ATOP A HILL IN THE SHIKINA SECTION OF NAHA.

BUILT IN 1799, THIS RESIDENCE HAD ITS HEY DAY IN THE 1800S WHEN THE RYUKYU ROYAL FAMILY USED THIS SECOND HOME TO ENTERTAIN ENVOYS OF THE CHINESE EMPEROR.

SHIKINAEN IS A CIRCULAR LANDSCAPE GARDEN THAT BECAME POPULAR IN JAPAN AMONGST FEUDAL LORDS, BUT IT HAS SUBTROPICAL PLANTS AND SEVERAL CHINESE INFLUENCES THAT MAKE IT UNIQUELY RYUKYUAN.

A HEXAGONAL CHINESE-STYLED GAZEBO – CALLED ROKKAKU-DO – SITS ON AN ISLAND IN THE POND AND CAN BE REACHED BY CROSSING A SMALL BRIDGE.

SHIKINAEN IS A GREAT PLACE TO TAKE A STROLL. A PATH CIRCLES THE POND AND TAKES YOU OVER TWO CHINESE- STYLED BRIDGES. THE WATER IN THE POND IS PROVIDED BY A SPRING AND BOATING WAS ONCE A POPULAR ACTIVITY FOR VISITORS.

THE UDUN – OR PALACE – IS THE LARGEST BUILDING ON THE GROUNDS AND HAS A DISTINCTIVE, RYUKYUAN RED-TILED ROOF. THERE WERE SEPARATE SPACES FOR THE CARRIAGES AND HIRED HELP ALONG WITH A GUARD HOUSE.

LIKE MANY OF OKINAWA’S HISTORICAL TREASURES, SHIKINAEN WAS DESTROYED IN WW2’S BATTLE OF OKINAWA. HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY RESTORED AND MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE BACK IN THE DAYS OF THE RYUKYU KINGDOM.