Suika Tenmangu Shrine

Ah, the park, a calm evening at Tenjin Shrine, children playing freely and carefree.

Thinking such things, I came to Tenjin Park nearby today. Perhaps because it’s evening, there aren’t many people around. Only a few here and there – parents with children or people walking their dogs. But quiet parks are nice. They calm my mind.

As I was walking through Tenjin Park, a torii gate caught my eye.

What kind of torii gate is this? Where does it lead to? I wondered, and as if drawn in, I stepped through the torii gate.

It was a very small, quaint shrine.

Its name seems to be Suika Tenmangu.

It is said that this shrine originated in 923, when Emperor Daigo issued an imperial decree to enshrine the spirit of Lord Sugawara no Michizane. Emperor Daigo ordered the monk Son’i, who was also Lord Michizane’s teacher at Enryaku-ji Temple, to quell the floods and fires in the capital. Then, on June 25th of the first year of the Encho era (923), the Monk Son’i received imperial permission for the divine title “Water and Fire Shrine Tenman Great Deity.” He established the shrine as the guardian deity against rainwater, thunder, and fire, enshrining the spirit of Lord Sugawara no Michizane as the Water and Fire Shrine Tenjin Tenmangu.
Originally located in Kamitenjin town, Kamigyo Ward, it was relocated to its current site in 1950 due to expansion of Horikawa Street.

Within the temple grounds lies the Stone of Sugawara no Michizane’s Ascension, where it is said the deity descended.

There it is, right here.

The origin of this stone is as follows.

Thunderstorms frequently struck the capital, and when the monk Son’i of Hosho-bo, having received orders to perform prayers, approached the Kamo River on his way to the imperial court, the river suddenly flooded. Then, when Son’i offered the sacred sword and prayed, the waters instantly parted. Lord Sugawara appeared atop the central rock, and as he ascended to heaven, the thunderstorm immediately ceased. The rock Lord where Sugawara appeared at that time was named “Ascension Stone,” and it is said that the existing stone is part of it.

Oh, my, it seems the blessings of Suika Tenmangu aren’t limited to disaster prevention at all.

Prayers for academic success, passing exams, traffic safety, and safe childbirth are also offered.

So, it offers various blessings, I see. I understand perfectly.

And so I slowly passed through the torii gate once more, leaving behind that shrine where the guardian deities of rainwater, thunder and fire are enshrined.

The heat has finally begun to ease, and these days we can finally feel the arrival of autumn. Bathed in the gentle, quiet light of evening, and sensing the scent of the changing seasons in the autumn breeze.

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Author

じゅうべい(Jubei)
Hello everyone. I am Jubei, an earthling whose energy does not stop today. What I like is playing (manga, movies, music (J-Rock, etc.) and visiting cafes). Thank you for your understanding.