Traditional New Year's ceremony held in Okinawa

In Okinawa Prefecture, southwestern Japan, a traditional New Year's ceremony took place at Shuri Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

For around 450 years until the late 19th century, the Ryukyu Dynasty royal ceremony used to be held annually on New Year's Day morning.

On Saturday, about 40 people dressed in black or blue recreated the event, acting in the roles of royals and officials. They assembled in the courtyard that faces the main building of Shuri Castle, where the king traditionally performed his duties.

As drums and gongs rang out, Okinawa's traditional Sanshin guitar joined in accompaniment. The king and queen appeared at the main building in formal gorgeous attire.
They stepped down to the courtyard and bowed deeply to the altar to pray for peace and prosperity in the new year.

Others in the courtyard began to chant "Ban-sui", praying in local Okinawan dialect for the long life of the king.

Many visitors watched the ceremony in a solemn atmosphere. A couple from Tokyo said they felt the solemnity of the history of the Ryukyu Dynasty.