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The temple was taken over from [[1846]]-[[1853]] by Protestant missionary [[Bernard Bettelheim]], who kicked out the monks, and removed much of the objects of worship and other religious objects from the temple.

The temple was taken over from [[1846]]-[[1853]] by Protestant missionary [[Bernard Bettelheim]], who kicked out the monks, and removed much of the objects of worship and other religious objects from the temple.

Gokoku-ji's temple bell was given by the regent to [[Commodore Matthew Perry]] in [[1853]] as a gift from the kingdom. The bell, cast in [[1465]], was for many years kept at the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, and rung when the Navy defeated the US Army in football. It was returned to Okinawa in 1987; a replica hangs at Annapolis today.

Gokoku-ji's temple bell was given by the regent to [[Commodore Matthew Perry]] in [[1853]] as a gift from the kingdom. The bell, cast in [[1465]], was for many years kept at the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, and rung when the Navy defeated the US Army in football. It was returned to Okinawa in 1987; a replica hangs at Annapolis today. Another replica hangs at the [[University of the Ryukyus]], while the original is today housed at the [[Okinawa Prefectural Museum]].

The temple was rebuilt following World War II. The facade of the main worship hall today bears a pair of large golden seals - one, the royal seal of the Ryukyuan royal [[Sho dynasty|Shô dynasty]], and the other, the seal of the Government of Japan. A monument to Bettelheim was erected in 1926.

The temple was rebuilt following World War II. The facade of the main worship hall today bears a pair of large golden seals - one, the royal seal of the Ryukyuan royal [[Sho dynasty|Shô dynasty]], and the other, the seal of the Government of Japan. A monument to Bettelheim was erected in 1926.