Yushima Seido temple [湯島聖堂]
Entrance gate of Yushima Seido
The gate in front of Taiseiden
Yushima Seido is a temple of Confucius.
It is located just north of JR Ochanomizu station.
Confucius was a Chinese philosopher and politician in the 5th century BC.
In early Edo period (the early 17th century), an excellent Japanese Neo-Confucian philosopher appeared.
He was Hayashi Razan (1583-1657), and he educated some Shoguns of Edo government.
And he opened a school in current Ueno area, and he educated many samurai's sons there.
Also he built a temple of Confucius "Senseiden" in the site in 1630.
After his death, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the 5th Shogun, removed the temple and the school buildings to this site in 1690.
And the temple was renamed to Taiseiden (大成殿), and the total buildings were called Seido (聖堂) meaning sacred hall.
Taiseiden
Statue of Confucius
In 1797, this school became government-owned facility, then it was called Shohei school (昌平坂学問所).
Since that, the name of Seido has meant only Taiseiden.
The school has led to the current Tokyo University and some other national universities.
The original temple was destroyed by the Great Kanto earthquake in 1923, and current Taiseiden was rebuilt in 1935.
Additionally, a statue of Confucius endowed from Taiwan in 1975 stands in the site.
The height is about 4.5 meters, but it is the largest statue of Confucius in the world.
Because of the temple of Confucius and a former school, it is said that, if student visits and worships here, he or she will pass an examination.
How to get here
- Get off at Ochanomizu station of JR Chuo and Sobu Lines.
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Nearest stations of subway.
Ochanomizu (●M20 Marunouchi Line)
Shin-Ochanomizu (●C12 Chiyoda Line)
