4.　Preserve, restore, and collect cultural assets

Because of the previous fire, we have lost two parts of the structural ruins of Seiden, which was on display for exhibition and research purposes and contained many collection items. The following will be completed in order to restore and recover important damaged cultural assets, retrieve lost items sent to mainland Japan and overseas, and pass on these assets to the next generation.

(1) Proper preservation of Shuri Castle structural ruins and promoting their importance

In the Fundamental Plan for the Shuri Castle Restoration established by the Japanese government, it is stated clearly that the government will work closely with UNESCO to conduct the restoration project that will not bring any negative effects on the historical ruins of Shuri Castle, which is registered on the World Heritage list.
Together with the national government, Okinawa Prefectural Government is accurately analyzing the condition of the structural ruins, and intends to preserve and display the ruins in such a way that they are permanently valued. In addition, the prefectural government will host briefing sessions to inform of the results of archaeological research into Shuri Castle ruins and neighboring cultural assets, and provide information on buried cultural property by displaying excavated artifacts.

(2) Restoring, recovering, and collecting cultural assets

The last fire at Shuri Castle is said to have completely burned 393 collection items owned by the Okinawa Churashima Foundation. Even though other items were not completely burned, the heat from the fire and water from firefighting activity damaged lacquerware surfaces; there is paper stuck on the surface and the outer layer is damaged. The cost and time to fix these damaged items are not known.
These cultural artifacts damaged in the fire play an important role in studying the history and culture of Ryukyu. After reviewing roles with the owners of these damaged artifacts, the prefectural government will play an active part in providing support for restoring displayed artifacts along with Shuri Castle Seiden. In addition, the prefectural government will conduct research into Ryukyu Kingdom documents lost in the previous war, and intends to retrieve documents and resources that exist in mainland Japan and even overseas.

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  Lacquerware damaged in the fire
  (photo provided by Okinawa Churashima Foundation)

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  One of the damaged items
  (a tablet adorning the main hall)