Okinawa, Japan 22: Tamaudun
Written & Directed by James Knott

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Tamaudun is a mausoleum built for the Ryukyu royal family who ruled the Okinawan Islands for centuries.

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 22: Tamaudun

THE KINGS AND QUEENS OF THE RYUKYU ERA WERE LAID TO REST A SHORT DISTANCE FROM SHURI CASTLE. TAMAUDUN IS A MAUSOLEUM FOR THE RYUKYU ROYAL FAMILY THAT WAS BUILT IN 1501 BY KING SHO SHIN.

THE TOMB IS MADE UP OF THREE COMPARTMENTS. THE EASTERN CHAMBER WAS USED FOR KINGS AND QUEENS, WHILE THE WESTERN ONE WAS FOR THE REST OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.

REMAINS OF ROYAL FAMILY MEMBERS WERE STORED IN THE CENTRAL CHAMBER UNTIL THE BONES WERE READY TO BE WASHED FOR PURIFICATION AND MOVED TO ANOTHER CHAMBER TO BE ENTOMBED.

THE MAUSOLEUM WAS BUILT INTO NATURALLY OCCURRING LIMESTONE BEDROCK AND SURROUNDED BY STONE WALLS MADE OF CORAL LIMESTONE.

SHISA STATUES WATCH OVER THE MAUSOLEUM AND PROVIDE A GOOD EXAMPLE OF EARLY RYUKYU STONE SCULPTURE TECHNIQUES.

TAMAUDUN HAS MANY INTRICATE FEATURES ETCHED INTO THE STONE.

THERE ARE TWO COURTYARDS IN FRONT OF THE TOMBS WITH ARCHED GATES FOR ENTRY.

THIS WORLD HERITAGE SITE SUFFERED PARTIAL DAMAGE IN WW2, BUT BY 1977 HAD BEEN COMPLETELY REPAIRED.