Photo/Illutration An image taken by a drone in 2021 of Naha’s Shuri Castle Park, where Shuri-jo castle is situated. The main hall and other important structures were ravaged by fire in 2019. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

NAHA--Okinawa prefectural authorities will set up a fund to nurture craftsmen in centuries-old techniques that can be passed down to restore and refurbish historic structures like Shuri-jo castle here, much of which was gutted by fire in 2019.

The fund is related to restoring the main hall and other castle structures in the prefectural capital of Naha that served as the royal court of the Ryukyu Kingdom for about 450 years until 1879.

The prefectural government will submit a proposal to secure funding during a prefectural assembly session in February.

The prefectural government expects the fund to be in operation in April at earliest.

The proposal followed growing calls from islanders for the prefecture to find talented artisans who can restore historic sites faithful to the original structures.

Okinawans also clamored to recreate the historic appearance of the Shuri neighborhood around the castle.

The funds to be raised will be used to nurture carpenters and painters specializing in historic structures as well as craftsmen to repair the castle walls. 

Another fund the prefectural government set up to help with the castle’s rebuilding will stop accepting donations at the end of March.

About 5.48 billion yen ($47.6 million) had been raised for it by the end of 2021.

Part of Shuri-jo castle is designated as a World Heritage site. It was also extensively damaged by U.S. bombing during World War II.

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