Its "golden age" was in the mid-15th century, under the powerful Aji of Katsuren, Amawari.

Precious tile and Chinese porcelain of the era have been excavated from Katsuren.

Such remains testify to the magnificence of the ancient structure and the robust entrepôt trade between Japan, Korea, China, and Southeast Asia.

[3] The castle also has an active shrine of the Ryukyuan religion within the first bailey dedicated to Kobazukasa.

[4] In the 2010 Okinawa earthquake an outer wall at the northeast of the third bailey of Katsuren Castle was damaged.