Yokohama Nishi Ward

Description

Strolling through Nishi-ward: Tenmang?, a chic Tenjin-sam in Kubocho



Now this area is very quiet, but since it was transferred from Kanagawa in 1917 (Taisho 6), Tenmang? in Kubocho was as busy as Okamura Tenmang? in Isogo as there used to be Hanamachi (districts where geisha live and work) nearby.



It enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, a deity of scholarship. He was very talented and became Minister of the Right during the time of Emperor of Uda. However, he was ousted by his rival Minister of the Left, Fujiwara no Tokihira’s conspiracy. He passed away lonely in Dazaifu in Kyushu, but he had deep-rooted grudge, so his spirit was transformed into Raijin (Thunder God) and attacked Fujiwara clan and Tokihira.



The imperial court got sick of the violence of his spirit and they decided to put him back to his original position and offered Junior Second Rank and they enshrined him as a deity in order to allay his anger. Anyway, Tenjin-sama in this shrine is very clam and it is said that if you offer Misake (sake), it makes a shy smile.



Writing and picture by Tai Hasewaga (Nishi ward Cultural Association/Chairman of Kiko Society)



※This is a sketch and writing published in Yokohama Public Relation Nishi ward edition between November 1997 and April 2004. Please be noted that there’s a possibility that information in the article may be changed.



(Published October in 2003)