Tenmangu+Shrine

The Tenmangu Shrine is a Shinto Shrine in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Yasuyuki built the shrine in honor of Tenjin, the god of scholarship. The shrine is known for it being one of the main shrines that are dedicated to Tenjin. The shrine is known nationally and is one of the three biggest shrines in Fukuoka.

Prior to the 10th century, there once lived a man known as Sugawara Michizane. He was a Japanese politician who made his way up to the Imperial Court. However, the Fujiwara clan dominated the Imperial Court at the time, and because of Michizane’s rise into the court, the two became enemies. Their relationship became so terrible that the Fujiwara clan exiled Michizane from Kyoto and the Imperial Court. He was sent to then work as a government official in Dazaifu. In 903, he passed away.

Soon after his death, chaotic storms ravaged over Japan. The Japanese came to a conclusion: Michizane’s spirit was not at peace after his exile and it was his wraith that was creating the storms. In order to cease the chaos, they offered to build a shrine over his grave in exchange to be at peace. It apparently worked, as after the building of Tenmangu, Japan’s weather went to normal again.

Today, Tenmangu shrine itself attracts attention. There are three bridges leading to Tenmangu that represent the past, present, and future. The shrine, being a place to worship a god, is very important to Japan and its people. Tenmangu shrine is worshipped mainly by pupils and students, hoping to have a better chance at passing a test or having good grades, since the shrine was created for Tenjn, the God of scholarship.

One of the most famous things there is the six thousand plum tree blossoms. The view is very beautiful and mesmerizing, attracting many tourists every year. The plum blossoms are best to be seen in February or March, right before the Sakura blossoms. At all shrines there are usually festivals, and the most important festival found at Tenmangu Shrine is the "Kyokusei-no-en," which was stared in 958. There are also many other festivals held every year, like the New Year Festival.