地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

Jade Monument

The Jade Monument (Tamaudun-hi) is a carved stone stele that was erected when the Tamaudun Royal Mausoleum was completed in 1501. The stele still stands in the inner courtyard in front of the eastern crypt. It is made of diabase, which originally had a slightly greenish hue, now weathered to a dark gray and covered with moss. Written in Japanese hiragana script, which could capture both Ryukyuan court dialect and formal Japanese terms, it lists the name of King Sho Shin and eight of his male and female offspring who were involved in the mausoleum’s construction. It also describes rules for who is allowed to be buried in Tamaudun, with a curse for violating them. A notable feature is a symbolic panel at the top of the stele featuring an auspicious engraved design of a pair of phoenixes, the sun, and clouds.

In Ryukyu court tradition of the time, the sun symbolized the king, while the phoenix, believed to appear during a peaceful and prosperous reign, symbolized the royal high priestess (kikoe-ōgimi). This is tied to the Chinese imperial tradition wherein the phoenix, which originated in the sun and symbolized the cosmos, represented the justice, obedience, and fidelity of the imperial house. In Chinese and Japanese artistic prototypes, when pairs of phoenixes were depicted, they were male and female, distinguishable by their tail feathers. These paired phoenixes symbolize the yin and yang of the cosmos. The phoenixes of the Jade Monument do not have such distinguishing features and appear to be a unique Ryukyuan interpretation of this motif.

玉陵石碑

玉陵石碑建於1501年玉陵落成時，至今仍立於東側墓室前方的中庭內。其所用石材為輝綠岩，原產中國，質地淡綠。但經日曬雨淋，現已呈深灰色並覆滿青苔。碑身刻有日語平假名，以琉球方言及日本古文記有下述內容：尚真王及參與建陵的子女8人姓名；入葬玉陵所需資格及訓言，破此訓者將慘遭不幸的告誡。碑首處，刻有太陽升至中央，兩側鳳凰展翅，四周祥雲齊聚的瑞祥之畫。

在中國，鳳凰為「百鳥之王」，代表皇室尊貴權力及祥和盛世。而昔日，琉球王室視太陽為國王的象徵；鳳凰則因寓意國泰民安、和平繁榮，被視為最高神女「聞得大君」的象徵。此外，在中國及日本藝術作品中，鳳凰若成對出現，則常以尾羽不同來區分雌雄，象徵宇宙陰陽。但玉陵碑上所刻鳳凰，受琉球獨特文化的影響，其尾部形狀別無二致。

玉陵石碑

玉陵石碑建于1501年玉陵落成之时，至今仍立于东侧墓室前方的中庭内。其所用石材为辉绿岩，原产中国，质地淡绿。但经日晒雨淋，现已呈深灰色并覆满青苔。碑身刻有日语平假名，以琉球方言及日本古文记有以下内容：尚真王及参与建陵的子女8人姓名；入葬玉陵所需资格及训言，破此训者将惨遭不幸的告诫。碑首处，刻有太阳升至中央，两侧凤凰展翅，四周祥云齐聚的瑞祥之画。

在中国，凤凰为“百鸟之王”，现于祥和盛世，代表皇室尊贵权力。而昔日，琉球王室视太阳为国王的象征；凤凰则因寓意国泰民安、和平繁荣，被视为最高神女“闻得大君”的象征。此外，在中国及日本艺术作品中，凤凰若成对出现，则常以尾羽不同来区分雌雄，象征宇宙阴阳。但玉陵碑上所刻凤凰，受琉球独特文化的影响，其尾部形状别无二致。