Kume Shiseibyo

The Ryukyu Kingdom and Confucianism

Kume Shiseibyo

Built using public funds during the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom to commemorate the deeds of Confucius (the founder of Confucianism), Kume Shiseibyo demonstrates just how important Confucianism was as an academic discipline for the Ryukyu Kingdom, and gives visitors the opportunity to sense the history and links with the local area of Confucianism.

Events

Sekitensairei

Conducted as an event (ceremony) of the Ryukyu Kingdom once a year, Sekitensairei had the purpose of commemorating the deeds of Confucius and his favored pupils (Yan Hui, Zengzi, Zisi, and Mencius).

On September 28, which is said to be the birth date of Confucius, offerings of pork, fish, chicken, confectionery, fruits, sugar cane, silk fabrics, and sake are made here at Kume Shiseibyo.

This ritual was originally conducted in the homes of volunteers residing in Kuninda (present day Kume in Naha), however, as the Ryukyu Kingdom's links with Confucianism grew even closer, members of the Sanshikan Council of Three (ministers of the Ryukyu Kingdom) presided over the event and it came to be conducted under official funding.

Today, Sekitensairei is conducted by the descendants of Kuninda as an event that conveys "the history of the old traditions of the Ryukyu Kingdom and Confucianism."

Guide to Facilities

This is the main entrance to Shiseibyo and is only opened once a year for Sekitensairei.

Shiseimon — This is the main entrance to Shiseibyo and is only opened once a year for Sekitensairei.

This central devotional hall of Shiseibyo commemorates the achievements of Confucius and his favored pupils (Yan Hui, Zengzi, Zisi, and Mencius). The two dragon pillars and the dragon figure in the center of the stairs are imitations of dragons at the Temple of Confucius in Confucius's birthplace of Qufu, and this is also where these dragons were made.

Taiseiden — This central devotional hall of Shiseibyo commemorates the achievements of Confucius and his favored pupils (Yan Hui, Zengzi, Zisi, and Mencius). The two dragon pillars and the dragon figure in the center of the stairs are imitations of dragons at the Temple of Confucius in Confucius's birthplace of Qufu, and this is also where these dragons were made.

This small shrine commemorates the ancestors of Confucius and his pupils. From this, one can sense the importance of Confucianism in the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Keiseishi — This small shrine commemorates the ancestors of Confucius and his pupils. From this, one can sense the importance of Confucianism in the Ryukyu Kingdom.

The Meirindo, which was the first public school of the Ryukyus, taught mainly Confucianism, Mandarin Chinese, the writing of official diplomatic documents, and so on. Today, it has a lecture hall on the second floor which is used to conduct open courses in classical Chinese poetry and the Analects.

The Meirindo, which was the first public school of the Ryukyus, taught mainly Confucianism, Mandarin Chinese, the writing of official diplomatic documents, and so on. Today, it has a lecture hall on the second floor which is used to conduct open courses in classical Chinese poetry and the Analects.