Kyoto, Japan Dec. 23 Mon 9:53AM
A Shrine for Scholars
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is dedicated to a scholar of the early Heain Period, Sugawara Michizane. After his death, legend has it that there were numerous natural disasters in Kyoto as his curse, so in 947, the shrine was built by the Imperial Court in Kytoto to appease him. During his life, he was a prominent scholar and was recognized as a "scholarly god" after his death, so even today, many students come to this shrine.
Throughout the year there are many events at Kitano Tenmangu, including the Setsubun Festival dedicated to expunging evil spirits and a plum blossom festival in February, a Tanabata Festival in July, celebrating star-crossed lovers, and the Zuiki Festival, a harvest festival in October. Monthly flea markets, called "Tenjin-san" also take place at this shrine on the 25th of every month.