The Seiden main hall of Shuri-jo castle in a photo taken in 1921 (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Rare photos have emerged of Shuri-jo castle in Okinawa Prefecture taken about a century ago, casting a valuable insight into how the structures looked before they were destroyed in World War II and more recently in an October fire.

The 13 photos found at the Osaka Head Office of The Asahi Shimbun show local residents resting or working in and around the grounds of the castle that once served as the political and cultural center of the Ryukyu Kingdom (1429-1879).

The photos were taken during the Taisho Era (1912-1926) and early Showa Era (1926-1989).

One photo is of the Seiden main hall in 1921 when it was used as a women’s crafts school. Students can be seen using a loom in the second-floor classroom.

The Seiden main hall, reconstructed after World War II, was the main casualty of a blaze that roared through the complex early on Oct. 31.

World War II not only destroyed Shuri-jo castle but also many of the photos taken of the complex in prewar days.

Experts called the trove of old photos a valuable find.

Another photo shows a dozen or so men and women resting outside the stone gate of the Sonohyan-utaki site.

The stone gate as well as other structures in the castle complex make up the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu that was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2000.

One man with his back to the photographer is wearing geta, but all the others in the photo are barefoot. A note on the back of the photo says “Ryukyu laborers,” but there is no year for when the image was taken.

But other photos found with it state that the image was taken in June 1925 when Prince Chichibu, the younger brother of Emperor Hirohito, visited Shuri-jo castle. A photo showing the prince at the castle appears in an edition of The Asahi Shimbun published by the Osaka Head Office in June 1925.

The photo of the laborers was likely snapped at the same time as the imperial visit by an accompanying reporter.

Another photo shows three women taking turns hammering at a mortar, apparently to shore up a castle wall with clay.

The June 12, 1925, edition of The Asahi Shimbun carried the same photo with a caption indicating the women were singing a folk song while helping with work on the wall.

Shuri-jo castle at one time was used as a base for the Imperial Japanese Army from the Meiji Period (1868-1912) and generally off-limits to local residents.

Kurayoshi Takara, professor emeritus of history at the University of the Ryukyus, said, “The photos of barefoot people show that the castle was becoming an intimate part of people’s daily lives.”

He added that the series of photos suggest local residents were keen to spruce up the castle ahead of the prince’s visit.