Gusuku Period

The Gusuku Period (Japanese: グスク時代 Gusuku jidai) is an era in Ryūkyūan history lasting (approximatley) from 1187 until 1429. The era is named after the Japanese word for Ryūkyūan castles because most were built and in use during this time period.

Start and end dates
It can be debated when the Gusuku Period started and ended. Its start is usually dated to the ascension of Shunten to the throne of Chūzan, 1187. The end date is more difficult to pinpoint, as there are many contenders. It could be said to end on three separate dates: 1314, the year Hokuzan and Nanzan suceded from Chūzan; 1429, the year Okinawa was reunified as Ryūkyū; or 1458, the destruction of Nakagusuku Castle and Katsuren Castle. Most scholars say it ended in 1429.