Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine [Fukuoka]

2025年1月5日

【Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine summary】

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine has a history of more than 1,100 years of Tenjin worship, and is dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, the god of learning. It is the head shrine of about 12,000 Tenmangu shrines throughout Japan.

【Sugawara no Michizane】

In the 4th year of Shoutai (901), Michizane Sugawara was moved to the left to Dazaigonshō by a plot by the Fujiwara clan. In Dazaifu, Michizane lived in poverty, but he never resented heaven or hated man, and continued to pray for the prosperity of the imperial family and the peace of the nation. According to his will, his remains were to be buried in Dazaifu, and as the funeral procession was proceeding in the direction of the northeast on an ox cart, the ox suddenly lay down and stopped moving. Ajizake Yasuyuki, a pupil of the temple, thought that this must have been Michizane’s intention, so he buried him there and built a shrine there. In 919, the shrine was built by order of the emperor, and since then, the shrine has been visited by imperial envoys on numerous occasions and has been revered by the imperial family.

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Hofu Tenmangu Shrine [Yamaguchi]

This Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto, and Hofu Tenmangu Shrine in Yamaguchi are the three largest Tenmangu shrines in Japan.

【Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine road approaching a shrine】

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Omotesando, a 300-meter-long street leading to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, which is visited by worshippers throughout the year, is lined with souvenir shops and restaurants, and also includes Starbucks Coffee Dazaifu Tenmangu Omotesando.

【Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine precincts】

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There are two large ponds, Shinji-ike and Shobu-ike, between the Yonotorii (fourth torii gate) and the main shrine, and you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the temple grounds, including the bridge over the pond (Taiko-bashi Bridge) and the surrounding gardens and temple buildings.

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The “Hon-den” (main hall), an important cultural property where Michizane rests, is undergoing a major renovation for the first time in 124 years, which began in May 2023 and took about three years, and it was a printed picture of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. It was a little disappointing, but we hope to see the beautiful worship hall at another time.

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The cherry blossoms around Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine were especially beautiful, especially near the Imperial Grand Shrine (Amaterasu).

【Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Tenkai Inari Shrine】

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Deep in Dazaifu is the Amakai Inari Shrine, dedicated to the deity Uganomitama, the god of food and rice, and Inari (the god of rice harvest). It is said that the deity Uganomikamono-Okinami was taken from Fushimi Inari-taisha in Kyoto at the end of the Kamakura period (1185-1333). It is popularly known as “Kyushu’s oldest Inari-san” and is believed to “open the way to heaven and bring luck” as its name implies.

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine [Kyoto]

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Tourists coming to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine do not come up here, so there is a sense of tranquility and dignity.

【Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Access】

Manager’s Comments

There were too many foreign tourists, and some foreigners forcibly pulled branches of cherry trees to take pictures, which showed their bad manners. I thought that the best time to really experience the beauty of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine was right after the gates opened. I will come back next time when the renovation of the main shrine is finished.

scenery

(3)

ambience

(3)

access

(4.5)

my opinion

(3)