Changes

*''Established: [[1674]]''

*''Established: [[1674]]''

*''Other Names'': 孔子廟 ''(Koushibyou; lit. "Confucius shrine")''

*''Other Names'': 孔子廟 ''(Koushibyou; lit. "Confucius shrine")''

*''Japanese/Okinawan'': 至聖廟 ''(Shiseibyou)''

*''Japanese/Okinawan'': 至聖廟 ''(Shiseibyou / Chiishinbuu)''

The Shiseibyô, also known locally as Chishinbu, is a [[Confucianism|Confucian]] temple in [[Kumemura]], in [[Naha]], [[Okinawa]]. Originally built in [[1674]], and recognized as a gift from [[Qing Dynasty|Qing]] [[Emperor Kangxi]], it was one of the key centers of Chinese learning and Confucian observance in Kumemura.

The Shiseibyô, also known locally as Chishinbu, is a [[Confucianism|Confucian]] temple in [[Kumemura]], in [[Naha]], [[Okinawa]]. Originally built in [[1674]], and recognized as a gift from [[Qing Dynasty|Qing]] [[Emperor Kangxi]], it was one of the key centers of Chinese learning and Confucian observance in Kumemura.

Today, Naha is home to two reconstructions of the shrine: one opened in 2013 in the Matsuyama neighborhood, adjacent to the [[Fukushuen|Fukushûen]] (Fuzhou Gardens), and one built in 1975 on the original site of the Tensonbyô, near Naminoue Beach. A statue of [[Confucius]] was also erected in 1975, on the original site of the Shiseibyô, near Izumisaki Bridge.

Today, Naha is home to two reconstructions of the shrine: one opened in 2013 in the Matsuyama neighborhood, adjacent to the [[Fukushuen|Fukushûen]] (Fuzhou Gardens), and one built in 1975 on the original site of the Tensonbyô, a [[Taoism|Taoist]] shrine near Naminoue Beach. A statue of [[Confucius]] was also erected in 1975, on the original site of the Shiseibyô, near [[Izumisaki-bashi|Izumisaki Bridge]]. All are run by the Kume Sôseikai, an organization founded in 1914 by descendants of the [[36 Min families]] who founded and formed the core of the Kumemura community.<ref name=shimpo>"[http://english.ryukyushimpo.jp/2013/06/25/10659/ Mortuary tablet of Confucius returns to Kume after 69 years]," Ryukyu Shimpo, 16 June 2013.</ref>

==History & Layout==

==History & Layout==

The shrine was first built in 1674, but traces its origins to [[1610]], when [[Sai Ken]] (Kiyuna ''[[ueekata]]''), returned to Ryûkyû from China, having visited Confucius' birthplace, [[Qufu]]. He brought with him sacred images of Confucius and the Four Correlates ([[Mencius]], [[Yanzi]], [[Zengzi]], and [[Zisi]]), and initiated the annual observance of Confucian rituals, held at the homes of locals.  

The shrine was first built in 1674, but traces its origins to [[1610]], when [[Sai Ken (1585-1647)|Sai Ken]] (Kiyuna ''[[ueekata]]''), returned to Ryûkyû from China, having visited Confucius' birthplace, [[Qufu]]. He brought with him sacred images of Confucius and the Four Correlates ([[Mencius]], [[Yanzi]], [[Zengzi]], and [[Zisi]]), and initiated the annual observance of Confucian rituals, held at the homes of locals.  

In [[1671]], [[Kin Seishun]], village head of Kumemura, received permission from King [[Sho Tei|Shô Tei]] to build a Confucian temple to house the images. Construction began in [[1672]], and the main hall was complete in 1674; the images were installed by the first month of [[1676]]. The temple grounds include five buildings, as well as one main gate, called the Shiseimon (至聖門). The main worship hall, called the Taiseiden (大成殿), is located directly across an open, grassy, square plaza, facing the main gate. It enshrines Confucius and the Four Correlates. Five-clawed dragon designs on the hall's pillars and stairs match those at the Confucius Shrine in Qufu. The five-clawed dragon is an exceptionally elite symbol, and is normally restricted to the use of the Chinese Emperor; contexts honoring Confucius are one of the few exceptions.

In [[1671]], [[Kin Seishun]]<!--金正春-->, village head of Kumemura, received permission from King [[Sho Tei|Shô Tei]] to build a Confucian temple to house the images. Construction began in [[1672]], and the main hall was complete in 1674; the images were installed by the first month of [[1676]]. The temple grounds include five buildings, as well as one main gate, called the Shiseimon (至聖門). The main worship hall, called the Taiseiden (大成殿), is located directly across an open, grassy, square plaza, facing the main gate. It enshrines Confucius and the Four Correlates. Five-clawed dragon designs on the hall's pillars and stairs match those at the Confucius Shrine in Qufu. The five-clawed dragon is an exceptionally elite symbol, and is normally restricted to the use of the Chinese Emperor; contexts honoring Confucius are one of the few exceptions.

Two smaller shrines sit to one side of the plaza, on one's left as one enters the main gate and faces the Taiseiden. The first of these, the Tenpigû (天妃宮), enshrines [[Tenpi]], also known as Mazu or Matsu, a goddess of the sea and of navigation. The other smaller shrine, called Tensonbyô (天尊廟), originally established on the site during the reign of the  [[Yongle Emperor]] ([[1403]]-[[1424]]), enshrines the spirits of those who have died in defense of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] (or of Okinawa otherwise), along with a number of [[Taoism|Taoist]] deities who are said to protect the kingdom, including [[Guan Yu]] and the [[Dragon King]]. The Keiseishi, a small shrine to Confucius' father [[Shuliang He]] and the fathers of the Four Correlates, was constructed on the grounds in [[1718]].

Two smaller shrines sit to one side of the plaza, on one's left as one enters the main gate and faces the Taiseiden. The first of these, the Tenpigû (天妃宮), enshrines [[Tenpi]], also known as Mazu or Matsu, a goddess of the sea and of navigation. The other smaller shrine, called Tensonbyô (天尊廟), originally established on the site during the reign of the  [[Yongle Emperor]] ([[1403]]-[[1424]]), enshrines the spirits of those who have died in defense of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] (or of Okinawa otherwise), along with a number of [[Taoism|Taoist]] deities who are said to protect the kingdom, including [[Guan Yu]], the [[Dragon King]], and [[Tenson|Jiǔtiān yìng yuán léi shēng pǔ huà tiānzūn]]<!--九天应元雷声普化天尊-->, the greatest of the Taoist deities of lightning.<ref>Plaques on-site in Kume district, Naha.</ref> It is said to contain an image of the supreme deity of Taoism brought to Ryûkyû by the [[36 Min families]] who are alleged to have founded Kumemura. The Keiseishi, a small shrine to Confucius' father [[Shuliang He]] and the fathers of the Four Correlates, was constructed on the grounds in [[1718]].

The Meirindô (明倫堂), located across the plaza from the two smaller shrines, is regarded as the first public school in Okinawa. Originally established in 1718 by [[Tei Junsoku]] as a school for the aristocratic children of the exclusive Kumemura community, it hosted classes in Chinese language, the Confucian classics, and bureaucratic & diplomatic skills, as well as serving as the administrative center of Kumemura from [[1769]] onwards. The Meirindô later took on functions as a municipal office, and then as a public school; today, public events, lectures, and Confucianism classes take place there.

The Meirindô (明倫堂), located across the plaza from the two smaller shrines, is regarded as the first public school in Okinawa. Originally established in 1718 by [[Tei Junsoku]] as a school for the aristocratic children of the exclusive Kumemura community, it hosted classes in Chinese language, the Confucian classics, and bureaucratic & diplomatic skills, as well as serving as the administrative center of Kumemura from [[1769]] onwards. The Meirindô later took on functions as a municipal office, and then as a public school; today, public events, lectures, and Confucianism classes take place there.

The temple was rebuilt in 1975 following its destruction in World War II, on the original site of the Tensonbyô, in Naha's Wakasa neighborhood. This was done in part because a major thoroughfare, Military Road No. 1 (today, National Route 58), cut through the former site. The temple's new location in Wakasa puts it a short distance from Naminoue Beach, immediately next to the Buddhist temple [[Gokoku-ji (Okinawa)|Gokoku-ji]] and [[Naminoue Shrine]], facing Kume Ôdôri (Kume Avenue). Three large stone monuments can be found in the far corners of the grounds, and raised on slight elevations. One dedicated to Confucius stands to the right of the main worship hall, above the Meirindô, while two dedicated respectively to Tei Junsoku and to Ryukyuan royal advisor & regent [[Sai On]] stand to the left.

The temple was rebuilt in 1975 following its destruction in World War II, on the original site of the Tensonbyô, in Naha's Wakasa neighborhood. This was done in part because a major thoroughfare, Military Road No. 1 (today, National Route 58), cut through the former site. The temple's new location in Wakasa puts it a short distance from Naminoue Beach, immediately next to the Buddhist temple [[Gokoku-ji (Okinawa)|Gokoku-ji]] and [[Naminoue Shrine]], facing Kume Ôdôri (Kume Avenue). Three large stone monuments can be found in the far corners of the grounds, and raised on slight elevations. One dedicated to Confucius stands to the right of the main worship hall, above the Meirindô, while two dedicated respectively to Tei Junsoku and to Ryukyuan royal advisor & regent [[Sai On]] stand to the left.

A bronze statue of [[Confucius]] was erected in 1975 as well, at the temple's former location, along with stone markers for the temple, and for the Meirindô school. In 2013, a second reconstruction of the original temple opened elsewhere in Kume, just behind the Fukushûen, adjacent to Matsuyama Park. This second temple features largely the same layout, with a very similar main gate, main hall, and Meirindô, albeit without the smaller shrines to the left, or the stone monuments.

A bronze statue of [[Confucius]] was erected in 1975 as well, at the temple's former location, along with stone markers for the temple, and for the Meirindô school. In 2013, a second reconstruction of the original temple opened elsewhere in Kume, just behind the Fukushûen, adjacent to Matsuyama Park. This second temple features largely the same layout, with a very similar main gate, main hall, and Meirindô, albeit without the smaller shrines to the left, or the stone monuments. In a ceremony held on June 15, 2013, the mortuary tablets enshrined at the original temple were moved from the Wakasa (Naminoue) shrine to the new shrine at Matsuyama Park, with the intention that this represents their being returned to their original location for the first time since before the war.<ref name=shimpo/>

==Kushiumachi==

==Kushiumachi==