首里城西のアザナ跡の鍛冶・鋳造工房

The Forging and Casting Atelier at the Iri-no-azana-ato, Shuri Castle

The Iri-no-azana-ato, located in the western part of the Shuri Castle, was excavated from July to August in 1991. The excavation yielded materials that imply the presence of the metal atelier that was managed by the government. The materials consisted of furnaces, molds, melting pots (crucibles), tuyeres, as well as a large amount of iron and bronze filings. Based on the analysis of the molds, the atelier was apparently used to manufacture temple bells and Hatome coins as well as other metal objects that were used in the Castle. The atelier operated from the 15th to 16th centuries AD.