NAHA -- It is highly likely at least 420 of about 1,500 artworks stored at Shuri Castle in Naha were destroyed Thursday by the fire that engulfed the castle, it has been learned.
The 420 or so artworks, which were not stored in a fire-resistant repository, include artifacts from the Ryukyu Kingdom that had been displayed and stored in the Seiden main hall and other places in the castle, the Okinawa Churashima Foundation said during a press conference in Naha on Friday.
The general incorporated foundation carries out the management and administration of Shuri Castle.
Of about 1,000 remaining items that were stored in a fire-resistant repository, there are three precious items such as a painting that is a prefecturally designated cultural property and a craftwork. However, as of Friday it had not been confirmed whether they were damaged by the fire or not, sources said.
It is also yet to be confirmed whether the stone walls, foundations and other structural remnants of the original Shuri Castle were damaged by fire or not. They have been preserved in the basement of the main hall. There were no national treasures in the basement.
There have been no electrical leakages or problems with the electrical system at the castle in the past, the sources said.
"Shuri Castle is the heart of the people of Okinawa Prefecture. We'll work with relevant ministries to promote early reconstruction of the castle," Cultural Affairs Commissioner Ryohei Miyata said Friday.
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