Tenpi

Gate to Tenkô-gû (Tenpi Shrine) in Yokohama Chinatown.

• Other Names: 媽祖 (J: Matsu / C: Ma-zu), 天后 (J: Tenkou / C: Tian-hou)
• Japanese/Chinese: 天妃 (Tenpi / Tianfei)

Tenpi, also known as Mazu, is a Taoist goddess of the sea, most often prayed to for safe voyages. Tenpi worship is particularly popular in Southern China, Taiwan, and Ryûkyû.

Tenpi is said to be the deification of a woman who lived in Fujian province in the late 10th century, and who was so adored that shrines to her were established following her death; she was later granted the title "Tenpi" (lit. "heavenly princess/queen") by an emperor of the Ming Dynasty, in the 14th century.

References

• Plaque at former site of Kami Tenpi Shrine in Kumemura, Naha, Okinawa.