Visit Japan Web Confucius Shrine
Visit Japan Web invites you to explore the Confucius Shrine, a Chinese shrine. It’s dedicated to the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BC). The shrine stands as a beautiful example of Chinese architecture and provides a colorful contrast to traditional Japanese shrines.
As you approach the front of the shrine, the distinct non-Japanese characteristics become evident in the architecture. The main gate marks the entrance after the ticket booth. In front of the main gate, there is a small garden with a pond and a steep bridge crossing it.
Within the shrine complex, the main building houses a statue of Confucius. There are the white statues of Confucius’ 72 disciples in the court of its surrounding area. An additional large building behind the main one houses a museum and a gift shop. The museum proudly displays ancient Chinese treasures on loan from the Chinese National Museum and Beijing’s Palace Museum.
Koshi-byo shrine, initially constructed in 1893 by the Chinese community in Nagasaki, has a significant historical background. Nagasaki, being a prominent trading port with a considerable foreign presence, including Chinese, received assistance from China’s Qing Dynasty for the shrine’s construction.
The shrine was a religious and educational center for the Chinese community. It features an elementary school for Chinese children. Unfortunately, the shrine suffered extensive damage during the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945. It remained closed until its reopening in 1967. Presently, the land where the shrine is located is owned by the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo. It appears to serve as a substantial representation of China.
