Shuri Castle was the palace of the kings of Chūzan and the Ryukyu Kingdom from 1429 to 1879. The article dates the original construction to the 14th century, uncertainly, and names no architect. Unlike typical Japanese castles, it was strongly influenced by Chinese architecture, with similarities to the Forbidden City, and its gates and buildings were lacquered red. The Nanden and Bandokoro were in a Japanese style.
The base and walls are Ryukyuan limestone, and the Seiden's two Dragon Pillars, 13.5 feet (4.1 m) high, are sandstone. The Seiden burned and was rebuilt five times in all, including after the 1945 Battle of Okinawa. Reconstruction began in 1992.
A fire on October 31, 2019 destroyed the Seiden, Hokuden, Nanden and Bandokoro, and gutted about 45,000 square feet (4,200 m²). Rebuilding began in February 2020 and is expected to finish in autumn 2026. The main castle has been closed since the fire.
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