Notes on the Design of the Sculptures of Shuri Castle Seiden

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This paper aims at explicating the shape and style of the sculptures of Seiden, the State chamber of Shuri Castle, from a design point of view.Basic shapes as well as details of Seiden's design are in Chinese and Zen Buddhist styles, but certain parts of Seiden are arranged in a unique way.The construction of the platform and the fence of the stairs as well as the design of the dragon and lion sculptures are basically in Chinese Style, Whereas Zen Buddhist influence can be seen in the accessory stones of the fence.But the fan-shaped stairway and the dragon pillars of the fence are in a style unique to Seiden. This arrangement occupies a very important position as a manifestation of the aesthetic consciousness of the Ryukyu Dynasty.For the roof of the building the Japanese archtectural styles Irimoyazukuri and Karahahu have been used, where as the design is in Zen Buddhist style. The design of the dragons on the roof is in a style often seen in China, but here their form is integrated with the whole building, thus creating an original effect.So far Shuri Castle Seiden has been considered largely as Chinese architecture. This study however seeks to show that although Seiden has Chinese style as its base, this style was fused with Japanese elements and in important ways transformed into a unique Ryukyuan design. I presume that this unique style and form, Which with time got lost, were expressions of an aesthetic consciousness peculiar to the Ryukyu Dynasty.This paper explicates and compares the design and arrangements of sculptures at Seiden with the styles of other historical buildings in Japan. It is however not a study of the lion statues in and around Shuri Castle ; a subject that in the light of its fascination for the people of Okinawa calls for further investigation.