Dazaifu Tenmangu (太宰府天満宮) is a Shinto shrine located in Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the most important and popular Tenmangu shrines in the country, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a scholar and politician from the Heian period who is deified as Tenjin, the Shinto deity of scholarship.
Here are some key features and aspects of Dazaifu Tenmangu:
1. History: The shrine was established in 919 at the gravesite of Sugawara no Michizane, who died in exile in Dazaifu. Over the centuries, Dazaifu Tenmangu has become a place of worship for students and scholars seeking success in their academic pursuits.
2. Plum Trees: One of the distinctive features of Dazaifu Tenmangu is its beautiful plum orchard. The shrine is famous for its more than 6,000 plum trees, and the plum blossoms in late winter and early spring are a major attraction. The annual plum blossom festival draws visitors who come to enjoy the picturesque scenery.
3. Main Hall (Honden): The main hall of the shrine, known as the Honden, is an important architectural structure. It houses the sacred object of worship and is the focal point of religious ceremonies and rituals.
4. Sugawara no Michizane: The shrine venerates Sugawara no Michizane, who is believed to have become a deity associated with learning and education after his death. Many students and their families visit Dazaifu Tenmangu to pray for academic success and achievement.
5. Omikuji (Fortune-telling Strips): Like many Shinto shrines, Dazaifu Tenmangu offers omikuji, which are fortune-telling strips. Visitors can draw these strips to receive predictions about their luck and future. If the prediction is unfavorable, it is a common custom to tie the strip onto designated racks at the shrine, symbolically leaving the bad fortune behind.
6. Treasure House: The shrine has a treasure house that displays valuable cultural artifacts, including items associated with Sugawara no Michizane and the history of the shrine.
Dazaifu Tenmangu is not only a religious site but also a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The serene atmosphere, historic significance, and natural beauty of the plum orchard make it a culturally rich and aesthetically pleasing place to visit in Fukuoka Prefecture.
