湯島天神－Yushima Tenjin Shrine or Yushima Tenmangu Shrine(Feb.2019-No.8)
湯島天神－Yushima Tenjin Shrine or Yushima Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to the god of learning
Yushima Tenjin Shrine or Yushima Tenmangu Shrine is located near Yushima Station of Chiyoda subway line in Bunkyo ward. It takes about five minutes to go to this shrine from the station. Although this shrine is surrounded by reinforced concrete buildings and the size is rather compact, it is very popular to the students and their parents all over Japan, especially Tokyo area. It is because this shrine is widely believed to be effective in improving schoolwork and passing every examination owing to the grace of the god. And You can find huge numbers of Ema, wooden tablets which praying sentence for success of exams were written. You can feel as if students and their parents bear severe cold winter and long for warm spring. But Spring will come soon for everyone!
This shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning in Japan. Sugawara no Michizane(A.D.845-903) was a powerful aristocrat and a incomparable scholar serving Emperor in the Heian period. It is famous in the Japan's history that he abolished Japanese envoy to the Tang Dynasty. But he was demoted form the Imperial Court in kyoto to Dazaifu in northern Kyusyu by a conspiracy of the political rivals and died there in 903. Many Tenjin or Tenmangu were constructed throughout Japan to calm his anger or vengeful spirit and Sugawara no Michizane has been respected as the god of learning. Among many Tenjin Shrines, three most famous shrines are Kitano Tenmangu in kyoto, Dazaifu Tenmangu and Yushima Tenjin in Tokyo.
Yushima Tenjin Shrine is also famous for about 300 Japanese apricot trees and the Apricot Festival is held between Feb. 8 and Mar. 8. Apricot blossoms bloom 20-30%, and they have faint sweet fragrance on this day. About 30 stands which sold Japanese sake, okonomiyaki or Japanese savory pancakes, takoyaki or ball-shaped pancakes with a bit of octopus were there. Many people visited this shrine to view apricot blossoms and pray for their good luck, and most of them were likely test takers to offer their thanks for passing entrances.
A famous tanka poem(31 syllables in Japanese) composed by Sugawara no Michizane who liked apricot blossoms is following.
When the east winds blow, give off cozy smell, apricot blossoms. Even if the master of the house away on a trip, don't forget spring!
Spring will come soon!!
Apricot Festival is held between Feb. 8 and Mar. 8
Ema, wooden tablets, a strong wish are written
