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Tenmangu Shrine is located in the outskirts of Dazaifu town in Fukuoka. Tenmangu Shrine is dedicated to Suguwara No Michizane, who was a 9th century scholar. Some of the rivals of Michizane did some doubtful intrigues against him at court, which made him to exile to Dazaifu. He couldn’t accept his fate and died in misery after two years. The administrative center of government was Dazaifu at that time. There is a legend connected with this exile. Apparently, Michizane’s favourite plum tree uprooted itself on the night he was exiled to Dazaifu and flew down to root itself in his exiled place. The tree is still there and is at the front of the main shrine building. Shinto shrines as mentioned earlier were dedicated to the various kami gods and it is only natural that Suguwara No Michizane would have a shrine dedicated to him. The shrine was founded in the beginning of the 10th century AD to appease Michizane's soul. He later came to be considered as the god of scholarship and Japan has around twelve thousand shrines to honor him. All throughout the year, the shrine receives droves of students of all levels visiting this shrine to offer prayers for coming out successfully in the examinations. Tenmangu Shrine is one of the ‘Big Three’ shrines in Fukuoka. When you are sightseeing in Fukuoka, you must visit the early Shinto shrine of Tenmangu Shrine.
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