Dazaifu, classic grounds of Man'yō~Part 1 Dazaifu Tenmangū (1)

Getting on the Nishitetsu Dazaifu line from Nishitetsu Futsukaichi station, about 16 minutes from central Fukuoka.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

This train is a special train called "Tabito". Luck-bringing cards are given out in the train.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The luck-bringing cards given out in each of the five train cars are different.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The luck-bringing cards have the same pattern with the train's interior printed.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

5 minutes later, at Dazaifu station. A short trip.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The logo of "Tabito".
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Some trains on the Dazaifu line are operated by this "Tabito".
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Dazaifu station.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

This is the bus version of "Tabito". It is operated from Hakata station, in central Fukuoka.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The mailbox in front of the station is shaped like a "Uso-dori", which is related with Dazaifu Tenmangū.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The main approach to Dazaifu Tenmangū starts in front of the station.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The street is filled with tourists.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Many shops line the street, selling souvenirs and Umegaemochi, a local specialty.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The second Torī.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

One of the shops is Starbucks designed by Kengo Kuma, a famous architect.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The third torī which is the enterance of the shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The stone monument carrying the shrine's name.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Going through the torī. The path leading to the main shrine turns left.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The Goshingyū, a statue of an ox, at the corner of the path. It is also called "Nade-ushi (meaning: padding ox)", and is told padding the same part on the ox as the part you are injured or ill and you will be cured. There are 11 Goshingyūs in the shrine but this one gathers the most people.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Continuing on. The fourth torī, just arround the corner.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A tall stone lantern.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

This stone lantern has a Komainu on top. It was built here in 1812.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Looking back at the entrance. This stone torī is 6.4m high and is the oldest one in Kyūshū. It is an important cultural asset designated by the prefecture.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The other Komainu on top of a stone lantern.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The path goes over a pond.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

This pond is called "Shinji-ike", meaning its shaped like the kanji "心(Meaning, the heart)".
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

There are three bridges crossing the "Shinji-ike", each one represents past, present, and future. It is said that crossing the bridge will free oneself of evil thoughts in each period. It is a Buddhist conception.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Crossing the bridge.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

After the arched bridge, there is an branch shrine, Konnō shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

After the second bridge is another branch shrine, Shika shrine that enshrines the three Wadatsumi gods. It is an important cultural asset.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Crossing the last arched bridge. The Rō-mon, the entrance to the main shrine, is in sight.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The last torī.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Near the path, many wind bells jingling.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Gold fishes and morning glories, summer features in Japan, are drawn on the wind bells.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A chōzuya, a watershed to cleanse your hands.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Inside the chōzuya is a water bowl made from a huge stone dug out from Mount Hōman. A turtle, that is told to keep off evil and prolonging one's life, is carved into the center of the water bowl.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The chōzuya from the other side.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

There is another Goshingyū next to chōzuya.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The Goshingyū watching over the shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Continuing on to the main shrine. This gate, Rō-mon, was rebuilt in 1914.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The Komainu in front of the Rō-mon.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The other Komainu.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The Zuishin-zo, a kind of guardian statue, inside the Rō-mon. This one on the left.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The other Zuishin-zo on the right.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A huge lantern, 2m high, hung inside the Rō-mon.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Going through the Rō-mon.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The open space in front of the Honden, the main shrine, is filled with people.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A small pond in front of the Honden.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A Komainu next to the pond.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The other Komainu.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

There is a small Goshingyū next to the pond.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The Honden that exists now was built in 1591 by Kobayakawa Takakage at the behest of Hideyoshi Toyotomi. It is an elegant building covered with beautiful sculptures.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The interior is colored red, black, and gold. Inside is the Shinza, the seat of the deity, and the grave of Sugawara no Michizane is under it.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

There is a pair of Komainu in front of the Honden too.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The other Komainu.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The plum tree on the right side of the Honden is called the "Tobiume". Legend has it that when Sugawara no Michizane was relegated to Dazaifu, the plum tree which Michizane admired uprooted itself and flew after him to where it is now.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The plum tree on the left side of the Honden was planted here by Empress Teimei, the wife of Emperor Taishō. It is called "Kisai-no-ume", meaning empress's plum tree.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The Honden of Dazaifu Tenmangū.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A long line of worshippers in front of the Honden.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The Goshuin of Dazaifu Tenmangū. It is available near the Kisai-no-ume.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A Usodori-mikuji, resembling a Ki-uso used in the Uso-gae ritual. It has a written fortune inside.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

These are regular written fortunes. The color of written fortunes in Dazaifu Tenmangū is changed each season. Also there are no "bad luck"s in Dazaifu Tenmangū's written fortune since many students preparing for their entrance exams visit the shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Looking around from the corridor next to the Honden.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The rear side of the Honden.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Behind the Honden are branch shrines enshrining the parents and children of Sugawara no Michizane.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The Honden seen from the rear.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Plum blossoms, the shrine's crest, are drawn on the rafters.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The emas of Dazaifu Tenmangū.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A place to hang gourds. These gourds can be received in the ritual to ward off evil. Ones who received it should enshrine it home and return it here the next year.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A small Goshingyū in the shade of the trees.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A Fude-zuka built for a memorial service for worn-out writing brushes. Next to it is a memorial of Nomi no Sukune, who is told to be an ancestor of Sugawara no Michizane.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A small water fall called "Makoto-no-taki".
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

This is a Hōchō-zuka built for a memorial service for worn-out kitchen knifes.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

The pair of big camphor trees behind the Honden is called "Meoto-kusu", meaning a couple tree. The larger one is estimated to be about 1000 to 1500 years old.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

In the far end of the shrine, many plum trees are planted. There are more than 200 kinds of plum trees in the shrine, and will be blooming between January and March. Between the trees are some tea-houses.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Besides meals, tea-houses also serve Umegaemochi, a grilled azuki bean cake stamped with the pattern of a plum blossom.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Small pebbles, imitating plum blossoms, embedded in the stone steps.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Contuning on to the far end of the shrine.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

On the way, there is a small hall.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

It is the Boshi-dō, built for memorial service for miscarried fetuses.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

A tea-house called "Oishi chaya". It is called so because it was run by a women called "O-Ishi-san". She was said to be counted as one of the three most beautiful girls in Chikuzen, and many celebrities visited to see her.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka

At the inner most of the shrine, the torī of Tenkai-inari shrine is in sight.
2018, Aug. 12th Dazaifu, Fukuoka