A Tenjin shrine in Kochi Prefecture dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deified scholar and politician of the Heian period. Like other Tenman shrines throughout Japan, it serves as a place of worship for students and scholars seeking academic success and literary achievement.
- Denomination
- Tenjin
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Sugawara no Michizane
- Kami enshrined
- Sugawara no Michizane
- Coordinates
- 33.4243484, 132.7558683
Visitor tip
Students often visit to pray for success in examinations and write wishes on ema wooden plaques.
Cultural notes
Sugawara no Michizane is revered as the kami of learning, literature, and academic achievement. Plum blossoms are sacred to Tenjin shrines as Michizane loved plum trees, and many Tenman shrines feature plum groves that bloom in early spring.
Historical note
Tenman shrines were established throughout Japan following the deification of Sugawara no Michizane in the 10th century. As a scholar, poet, and politician who died in exile in 903 CE, Michizane was later enshrined as Tenjin, the kami of learning and literature, to appease his spirit after natural disasters were attributed to his anger.