Shiseibyo Confucian Temple
- Published on : 08/01/2017
- by : Japan Experience
- Youtube
Shiseibyo Naha 至聖廟
Shiseibyo is a Confucian Temple located in the Wakasa district of Naha on the main island of Okinawa, close to Naminoue Shrine and the Fukushu-en Garden.
Shiseibyo Confucian Temple in Naha, Okinawa
Shiseibyo Confucian Temple in Naha, Okinawa
The original Shiseibyo was constructed in 1671-75 and was a gift from the Chinese Emperor Kangxi (1654-1722). It was located close by but was destroyed during World War II. The present buildings were built in 1975.
Shiseibyo was the major Confucian temple on Okinawa and was situated in Kumemura - an area inhabited by the descendants of Chinese immigrants, who formed a class of scholar-bureaucrats serving the Ryukyu king.
The Meirindo, Okinawa's first formal school was located within the Confucian temple.
The temple buildings are set in a grassy compound and include the Taiseiden dedicated to Confucius and other Chinese sages such as Mencius and Zengzi and the Tenson-byo and Tenpi-gu - both Taoist shrines - dedicated to the Dragon King and the goddess of the sea respectively.
In 2013, a new Confucian Temple was built in the nearby Kume district very close to Fukushu-en Garden. The mortuary tablet of Confucius was transferred from the temple at Wakasa to the new temple.
There is also a large Confucian Temple in Nagasaki on Kyushu.
Shiseibyo Confucian Temple in Naha, Okinawa
Shiseibyo Confucian Temple in Naha, Okinawa
Shiseibyo
Wakasa 1-25-1 Naha
Okinawa, 900-0030
Tel: 098 868 8598
Admission: Free
Some recommended places to stay in Naha close to Shiseibyo are:
Hotel Nikko Alivila, Hotel Continental and Okinawa Grand Mer Resort
Yui Rail Train, Naha, Okinawa
Shiseibyo Access
Shiseibyo is close to Fukushu-en Garden, Gokokuji Temple, Naminoue Shrine and the Tsushima-maru Memorial Museum. The nearest Yui Rail station is Asahibashi, 15 minutes away on foot. There is a bus from Kencho-mae Station at Palette Kumoji Department Store, get off at Nishinjo.
Books on Japan & Japanese Gardens
The Shiseibyo Confucian Temple in Naha, Okinawa was first built in the 17th century and reconstructed in 1975.
