Shiseibyo
- Other Names: 孔子廟 (Koushibyou; lit. "Confucius shrine")
- Japanese: 至聖廟 (Shiseibyou)
The Shiseibyô is a Confucian temple in Kumemura, in Naha, Okinawa. Originally built in 1646 by King Shô Tei, and recognized as a gift from Qing Emperor Kangxi, it was one of the key centers of Chinese learning and Confucian observance in Kumemura.
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. The Taiseiden enshrines Confucius, Mencius, Yanzi, Zengzi, and Zisi.
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), enshrines the spirits of those who have died in defense of the Ryûkyû Kingdom (or of Okinawa otherwise), along with a number of Taoist deities who are said to protect the kingdom, including Guan Yu and the Dragon King.
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, the Meirindô later took on functions as a municipal office, and then as a public school.
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 following its destruction in World War II, and is today located immediately next to the Buddhist temple Gokoku-ji and Naminoue Shrine, facing Kume Ôdôri (Kume Avenue), a short distance from Naminoue Beach.[1] A bronze statue of Confucius stands at the temple's former location, along with stone markers for the temple, and for the Meirindô school.
References
- Explanatory plaques on-site at Shiseibyô.
- "Kôshi-byô." Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia 沖縄コンパクト事典. Ryûkyû Shimpô. 1 March 2003.
