Osaka Tenmangu Shrine

se_0.0

In Japan, unlike our country, there are many religious facilities such as shrines in the downtown area, and many people still visit them. The Osaka Tenmangu Shrine is one such shrine, built in 949 under the orders of Emperor Murakami, dedicated to a human being who lived in the past and worshipped as a deity. The deity enshrined in Tenmangu is Sugawara no Michizane, a renowned scholar and poet, revered as a god of learning.

In the yard, there is a bronze bull, and a superstition states that rubbing its head brings intelligence and luck, and touching its horns will make one excel in studies. Despite the unlikelihood of these beliefs coming true, people touch the bull for a sense of comfort. The main hall, where Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning, is enshrined, is where visitors come to pray, often throwing five-yen coins and wishing for academic achievements for themselves or their families. In Japan, the five-yen coin, pronounced 'go-en', has a special meaning, as it sounds like the word for 'destiny' or 'connection', symbolizing the wish for good relationships. Next to the main hall, there's a place where people hang wooden plaques (ema) with their wishes, showing the deep faith the Japanese have in the deity of learning, with many wishing for success in exams. Omikuji (fortune-telling strips) and charms are also sold, with the belief that tying bad fortunes on a string and praying can change them to good fortunes. Japan's shrines often sell a lot of ema and charms, felt like a business of success and luck, a sentiment shared in our country as well.

Photo, Article by: Jung Se-Young (@se_0.0)

#Additional information about Osaka Tenmangu Shrine

📍Location: 2 Chome-1-8 Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0041 Japan
📍Entrance Hours: 9:00~17:00
📍Admission: Free

The Osaka Tenmangu Shrine hosts a festival called Tenjin Matsuri on July 24th and 25th every year. Known as one of Japan's three major festivals, please keep this in mind when you visit.