Okinawa | The Resilient Tenyu Bridge: A 280-Year-Old Masterpiece of Sino-Japanese Craftsmanship

Outside Shuri Castle, near Engakuji Temple, lies Benzaiten Hall, a hidden gem in the Shuri Castle area. Dating back to the 15th century, the Ryukyu King ordered the excavation of Engan Pond to house the "Korean Tripitaka" gifted by King Sejo of the Joseon Dynasty. Alongside the pond, a Buddhist hall and the Kanren Bridge were constructed. After the invasion by the Satsuma Domain, the Buddhist hall was destroyed, and the scriptures disappeared. It wasn't until 1621 that reconstruction took place. Due to the proximity of Kanren Bridge, it was relocated to its current position, and Benzaiten, the goddess of fortune, was invited from Engakuji Temple to preside over the site. The bridge was then renamed Tenyu Bridge. This 9.75-meter-long and 3-meter-wide structure resembles a Chinese Jiangnan-style arch bridge but is actually a blend of Sino-Japanese craftsmanship. The bridge's single-arch design was inspired by Jiangnan architecture, while its railings were crafted using Japanese techniques and covered with fine sandstone, similar to the construction method of Shuri Castle's Ryugu Bridge. During World War II, Okinawa was heavily bombed, resulting in the destruction of Benzaiten Hall and the small island in Engan Pond. Miraculously, Tenyu Bridge only suffered minor tilting. Engakuji Temple, commissioned by King Sho Shin, was also destroyed in the war, leaving only the restored main gate and ruins. Interestingly, on the way to Tenyu Bridge, visitors will encounter a group of free-roaming Muscovy ducks at Ryutan Pond. These ducks often block the path, inspecting passersby like landlords. Some say these ducks flew in from Taiwan during the Ryukyu Kingdom era, while others believe they were brought from China as domesticated poultry. Muscovy ducks are, in fact, the main ingredient for ginger duck dishes. 📍Address: 1 Chome Shuritonokuracho, Naha, Okinawa 903-0812, Japan 🚗 Accessible by a 10-minute walk from Shuri Monorail Station.