Seitenkyū

Seitenkyū (Ja:聖天宮/せいてんきゅう、zh:聖天宮/Sheng Tian Gong) is a Taiwanese style Taoist temple located in Sakado, Saitama, Japan.

Seitenkyū
聖天宮
Main gate to Seitenkyū
Religion
AffiliationTaoism
DeitySanqing
Location
Location51–1 Tsukagoshi, Sakado-shi, Saitama-ken
CountryJapan
Architecture
Completed1995
Website
www.seitenkyu.com

Taoist gods including Three Pure Ones are worshipped. Its official name is 五千頭の龍が昇る聖天宮（ごせんとうのりゅうがのぼるせいてんきゅう/the holy selestial palace of 5000 soaring dragons） .

Seitenkyū was built with private funds as a memorial to a Taiwanese individual who was cured of a serious illness. The temple was opened in 1995. it is one of the largest Taoist buildings in Japan.

Seitenkyū is open to the public for tours and worship, and most of the visitors are Japanese tourists. The vast grounds of about 26,000 square meters are used for various local events, such as tai chi competitions. The distinctive architecture and spacious grounds are also popular as a filming location for various TV programs and as a photo spot for cosplayers.

History

Seitenkyū was built by Taiwanese trader 康國典(ja:こうこくてん/koh kokuten、zh:kang Kuo-Den) to commemorate his recovery from a serious illness.

The background of the construction of seitenkyu is as follows, according to multiple newspaper interviews with koh's son [3][4].

Born in the 1920s in Banqiao, Taiwan, Koh made his fortune in business with mainland China. In his mid-40s, Koh suffered a serious pancreas-related illness, but after a seven-year battle with the disease, he was completely cured through a wish at Taipei's Si-Nan Temple, which is dedicated to Three Pure Ones, and decided to build a palace to thank God and to allow others to enjoy His blessings as well. In Taiwan, it is customary to build a temple (a small Taoist institution) to show gratitude when a blessing is bestowed.

Koh initially intended to build a palace in Taiwan, but was given a divine oracle that he should build it in Sakado, Japan. The prophecy specifically told him the name of the place to be built, the name "Seitenkyū " the shape of the temple, and the direction of the building. At the time, kou had no connection to Sakado. At the time when the construction began, the area in Sakado was a wooded area and mulberry fields, and there was no Wakaba Station nearby, nor was there a public road in front of the temple, only a farm road. As for the building fund, it is said that after Kou began building, Taiwanese and Japanese sponsored the construction.

Seitenkyū was established as a religious corporation in 1980 [5]. Construction of the temple began in 1981 (Showa 56), and after 15 years of work, the temple was opened in 1995 (Heisei 7).

Features

It took 15 years to build this temple.[1] The temple has been built with yellow roof tiles which are exclusively used only for building temples and for housing Emperors. The ceiling in the temple is made of glass of ten thousand pieces. One stone pillar in particular which is 5 m tall is carved from a single piece and the door is 4 m wide.[1]

Three Taoist Deities (Three Pure Ones, Sānqīng Dàozǔ, the Taoist Triad) are worshipped in the temple. The main hall in the temple is built without any nails and has numerous impressive sculptures. Carvings on the stone pillars of five meters height are elaborate and called the Yin "Sōryū pillars". A drum tower to the left of the temple was added later, which offers views of the surroundings.[2]

Worship

Prayers are offered daily at the temple with incense burning. The shape and colour of incense smoke are closely observed as it portends significant omens; formations of "Dragon" "Women", "Phoenix" are said to augur well for the devotee offering prayers.[3] Devotees also offer prayers with talismans in different temples of the temple complex, depending on their year of birth, of specific colour seeking fulfillment of their desires.[2]

Location Filming

Because of its unique scenery, Seitengu is often used as a location for filming TV dramas, music videos, and cosplayers. Seitengu temple states that "permission is required for any filming or coverage that exceeds the scope of personal viewing. The following is a partial list of films taken at Seitenkyū.[4]

Cosplay

Seitenkyū is also a popular place for cosplayers to take pictures. According to a report by the Tokyo Shimbun, cosplayers began to visit around 2007, and in 2012, a total of about 500 people visited the temple for the purpose of cosplay .[5] In response to the recent increase in the number of cosplayers, the Seitenkyū side has also responded with rules,[6] and Master Koh who built the temple, said that he willingly accepted cosplay photography before his death, saying that he wanted many Japanese to experience Taiwanese culture.[5] Seitenkyū explains that it accepts cosplay photography on the grounds that "Taoist teachings do not reject those who come" as long as they follow the rules.[7]

Acceptance of cosplay photography is limited to two groups per day, for a total of 10 people, and advance reservations are required.[8] In addition to general precautions such as the prohibition of lying down to take pictures, there are unique rules for taking pictures on the grounds, such as the prohibition of revealing clothing and undead-like movements and clothing, such as Jiangshi, because it is a religious facility.[9]

In Taiwan, the fact that a Taiwanese religious facility in Japan has become a cosplay attraction is a rarity, and was reported in major newspapers such as the China Times and the otaku-oriented online news site gamme news.[10][11][12]

References
  1. "Points of Interest" (in Japanese). Official website. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  2. 地域ニュース：　聖天宮 [Local News: Seitenkyū] (in Japanese). Japan: Koedo Net. 3 December 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  3. "Good luck and God worship worship worship worship marks authentic Taiwan Charm" (in Japanese). Official website. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  4. "ロケ地情報". 宗教法人聖天宮. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  5. 聖地巡礼＜2＞聖天宮 坂戸市『東京新聞』朝刊2013年1月3日（埼玉）
  6. "京都芸術大学通信教育課程芸術教養学科WEB卒業研究展 台湾からやってきた道教廟 聖天宮". 京都芸術大学. March 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  7. 【おもてなし魅せどころ】五千頭の龍が昇る聖天宮（埼玉県坂戸市）拝観もコスプレ撮影も体験『日経MJ』2022年8月15日（観光・インバウンド面）
  8. "コスプレのご案内". 宗教法人聖天宮. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  9. "コスプレ＋旅行をご案内する「こす旅」！ 埼玉県 本場・台湾からの建物 聖天宮". こす旅タカラ観光社. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  10. "日本的台灣廟《COSPLAY聖地聖天宮》他們不是奇裝異服的進香團……". 宅宅新聞. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  11. "《日本最大台灣廟》在日本國內環遊世界的首選景點 也是COSPLAY熱門外拍聖地 ……". 宅宅新聞. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  12. "日本唯一台灣廟長這樣！參拜時還會遇到..." 中国時報. Retrieved 23 December 2021.

35°57′48.46″N 139°25′38.27″E

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