**Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine** Spring Landscape - Plum Blossoms and Kyokusui no En

This plum blossoms season, the harmony between the historical buildings within the precincts of
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and the plum trees is truly beautiful.
Official site : www.dazaifutenmangu.or.jp/
MAP : goo.gl/maps/fC5KGLtRtf8hi44e8
*The Origin of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, a scholar from the Heian period.
Michizane rose to prominence through his political skills, but he was demoted from Kyoto to Dazaifu
by those who disapproved of his success.
And he passed away in the year 903.
Afterwards, following disasters believed to be the result of Michizane's vengeful spirit, in an effort to appease the curse, a shrine was built in 919 on the site of Michizane's grave, marking the establishment of Dazaifu Tenmangu. However, the curses persisted, leading to the construction of Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto in 947. Subsequently, it is said that shrines dedicated to the worship of Michizane were established throughout Japan whenever major disasters occurred.
In later years, because Michizane was an exceptional scholar, he is now revered as the 'God of Learning'
and the 'God of Examinations,' attracting devotion.
*Flyng plum legend
It is said that there are many plum trees at Tenmangu Shrines because Michizane loved plums and had
plum trees planted around his residence.
Before leaving Kyoto, Michizane conveyed a message to a plum tree through a poem, reminding it to bloom with
fragrance and beauty even when the east and west winds of spring blow,even in the absence of the master.
This poem is at the core of the 'flying plum legend,'which tells the story that upon hearing this verse,
a plum tree flew overnight from Kyoto to Dazaifu on the day Michizane arrived.
*Kyokusui no En
The 'Kyokusui no En' is a ritual that replicates court events from the Heian period, set in a garden with meandering streams and flourishing plum blossoms. Participants, adorned in Heian-era attire, sit by the stream, and as cups flow downstream, they compose poems on strips of paper while the cup passes in front of them, then proceed to drink the sake from the cup. Although this ritual had ceased around the late 15th century and persisted until modern times, it was revived in 1963 and continues to be practiced to this day.
The solemn beauty of the buildings and shrines, coupled with the sacred atmosphere,imparts a sense of
historical significance and tranquility.
* Channel Introduction
On this channel, I mainly introduce the atmosphere of nature, culture, and historical buildings, etc., that I saw during a short trip.
If you have any requests, advice, or questions, please feel free to leave a comment.
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/ @xavier3104
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[INDEX]
0:00 title
0:18 Shrine precincts
2:13 Kyokusui no En
4:42 Omotesando