Yushima Tenman-gu
The Yushima Tenman-gū ( Japanese 湯 島 天 満 宮 ), also Yushima Tenjin ( 湯 島 天神 ) or Yushima Shrine ( 湯 島 神社 , Yushima-jinja ), is a Shintō shrine in the Japanese capital Tokyo , which is located in the Bunkyō district . It is dedicated to Ame-no-tajikarao-no-mikoto and Sugawara no Michizane .
history
According to legend, the shrine was founded in 458 in honor of the deity Ame-no-tajikarao-no-mikoto. In 1355, because of bad dreams the residents of Yushima had, Sugawara no Michizane was worshiped in a place under an old pine tree.
In 1478 the now dilapidated facility was renewed by the general and founder Edos, Ōta Dōkan (1432–1486), after he had visited the Kitano Tenman-gū in Kyoto. The construction of the Omote-Torii made of copper is estimated to have been made in 1667/69 after the incisions 寛 文 七 or 寛 文 九 on the pillars. The total height of the torii including the crossbeams is 6.81 m. The names of many donors are carved into the pillars, the lower ends are decorated with Chinese lions - 唐 獅子 . On the shrine grounds there is an old torii cast from metal, and the shrine also has valuable castings. To the left of the main hall is a stone on which 寄 縁 氷人 石 is carved. This stone, erected in 1850, is called the “stone of the lost child” ( 迷 子 石 , mayoigo ishi ) because seekers and finders are supposed to meet there.
Many scholars and writers have visited this shrine, including the Edo-period neo-Confucians Hayashi Dōshun and Arai Hakuseki . The Tokugawa also took care of the shrine.
In 1995 all the wooden shrine buildings were renewed. Great emphasis was placed on adhering to the rules of traditional shrine architecture.
present
Since Sugawara no Michizane, the great scholar of the Heian period, has the status of a saint ( Tenjin ) in Shinto belief , the shrine is a popular destination for students and their family members who pay their respects before the entrance examination and exams. At this time there were a lot of votive plaques ( Ema ) on the left and right of the main building.
As the plum blossom the crest of Sugawara was this shrine is also known for its Ume known -Blüte that (ie about 3-4 weeks before the cherry blossom) in February / March is taking place.
literature
- Yushima jinja in: Tokyo no rekishi sanpo. (yo) . Yamakawa Shuppansha, Tokyo 1988, ISBN 4-634-29130-4 .
Web links
- Shrine website (Japanese, English)
Coordinates: 35 ° 42 ′ 28 " N , 139 ° 46 ′ 5.7" E