Fujian Overseas Chinese News reported that overseas Chinese in Japan donated to the Confucius Temple in Nagasaki to help overcome the epidemic

Fujian Overseas Chinese News reported that overseas Chinese in Japan donated to the Confucius Temple in Nagasaki to help overcome the epidemic

Nagasaki Confucius Temple (File Photo by Zheng Songbo)

Recently, media outlets such as Fujian Overseas Chinese News and Fuqing Overseas Chinese Hometown News reported on "The Japanese Overseas Chinese Community Donates to Help Nagasaki Confucius Temple Overcome Pandemic Challenges."The report stated that donation activities for Nagasaki Confucius Temple are actively underway within the Japanese overseas Chinese community.The Nagasaki Confucius Temple has always relied on ticket sales as its primary source of income to maintain operations. However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, its financial deficit has worsened significantly, leading to operational difficulties.In response, the Nagasaki Chinese Association, Nagasaki Chinese Women’s Federation, and other local organizations in Nagasaki called on their members to donate and issued an appeal to the broader Japanese Chinese community. They urged everyone to extend a helping hand and work together to protect and preserve this piece of Chinese cultural heritage.This initiative received enthusiastic support from numerous overseas Chinese organizations, including the All-Japan Federation of Chinese Associations, the Japan Fujian Economic and Cultural Promotion Association, the Japan Fujian Economic and Cultural Exchange Association, the Fuqing Chamber of Commerce in Japan, the Huangbo Culture Promotion Association, and the Fukuoka Youth Association. These organizations mobilized their members to actively participate in the donation efforts。

Nagasaki Confucius Temple (File Photo by Zheng Songbo)

Nagasaki Confucius Temple (File Photo by Zheng Songbo)

Artifacts on Display Inside Nagasaki Confucius Temple (File Photo by Zheng Songbo)

长崎孔子庙始建于1893年，是长崎侨胞继各大乡帮的"四大唐寺"之后，在清王朝驻长崎领事馆的建议下，由各大乡帮组织平均分担出资所建，是国外唯一一座由中国人建造的孔子庙，至今已有一百多年历史。历经清朝、民国、新中国，于1988年经多方努力正式变更登记，注册为中华人民共和国资产。孔子庙内的中国历代博物馆的展品除孔子庙收藏的文物外，还定期由故宫博物院轮换提供，其中不乏从未在国内公展的珍贵展品，深受广大游客以及修学旅行的日本中小学生的欢迎，对弘扬中华文化，增进中日友好交流发挥重要作用。

The Nagasaki Confucius Temple was built in 1893 by overseas Chinese in Nagasaki, following the construction of the "Four Great Tang Temples" by various hometown guilds. At the suggestion of the Qing Dynasty’s consulate in Nagasaki, the hometown guilds evenly shared the cost of construction. It is the only Confucius temple outside of China built by Chinese people and has a history spanning over a century.Having survived through the Qing Dynasty, the Republic of China, and the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the temple was officially re-registered as an asset of the People's Republic of China in 1988 after considerable efforts.In addition to the relics owned by the temple, the Chinese Historical Museum within the Confucius Temple exhibits artifacts periodically rotated from the Palace Museum. These include rare items that have never been publicly displayed in China. The museum is highly popular among tourists and Japanese schoolchildren on educational trips. It plays an important role in promoting Chinese culture and enhancing friendly exchanges between China and Japan。

It is worth noting that, historically, Fujianese immigrants in Japan, especially those from Fuqing, have made significant contributions to the construction and management of the Nagasaki Confucius Temple.According to The History of Fuqing Overseas Chinese, the Nagasaki Confucius Temple was destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II.After the war, Chen Yangchun, a Fuqing immigrant in Nagasaki and the son of Chen Pingshun, owner of the Chinese restaurant Shikairou, led efforts to collect funds from overseas Chinese in Kyushu, Japan. He raised 65 million yen to secure the land rights to the temple ruins and spent 200 million yen on its reconstruction, which was completed in 1967.The directors of the Nagasaki Confucius Temple and its Chinese Historical Museum have almost always been Fuqing immigrants.The current director of the Nagasaki Confucius Temple is Pan Xiugui, a descendant of Fuqing immigrants。Nagasaki is the birthplace of Chinese immigrants in Japan. For centuries, Chinese ancestors have continuously migrated to Nagasaki, bringing with them deities from Chinese folk beliefs such as Mazu, Qianliyan, and Shunfenger, to pray for safety and peace。

Nagasaki was the "first landing place" of Master Ingen’s journey to Japan and is the origin of Huangbo culture in the country.In 1654, at the repeated invitation of Chinese temples such as Chongfukuji and Kofukuji in Nagasaki, Master Ingen, abbot of Wanfusi Temple in Huangbo Mountain, Fuqing, set sail from Xiamen to Nagasaki with his disciples.After landing in Nagasaki, Master Ingen propagated Buddhist teachings in temples throughout Japan.During his time in Japan, Master Ingen not only disseminated Buddhist doctrines but also introduced advanced Chinese culture and technology of the time to the local community。

The Fuqing Chamber of Commerce in Japan actively responded to the call and directly contacted the Nagasaki Confucius Temple. All donations are designated for this purpose, ensuring that every contribution from fellow community members is delivered directly to the Nagasaki Confucius Temple!