Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine 太宰府天満宮

Description

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is built over the resting place of Sugawara no Michizane, a talented scholar, skilled calligrapher, and plum tree aficionado from the ninth century who is now worshipped as a deity of learning. In life, Michizane earned the displeasure of the powerful Fujiwara family and was exiled from the then-capital of Kyoto to Dazaifu, where he died in dejection. A building erected shortly after Michizane’s death was the beginning of the current shrine. The main sanctuary was built at the end of the 16th century by Kobayakawa Takakage, the region’s ruler. It is in the grand style of the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568 ? 1603), decorated with numerous ornate, brightly colored carvings, and has been designated an Important Cultural Property. In front of the main sanctuary stands a plum tree that is over 1,000 years old and said to have flown to the shrine from Kyoto in its longing for the unfortunate Michizane. It is known as the tobiume (flying plum tree) and still produces lovely white blossoms each year. The shrine is most popular for the 6,000 plum trees that adorn its precincts. From late January to early March they burst into bloom, drawing visitors from all over Japan.