Changes

==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]]<!--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.

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.