北野天満宮
Bakuro-cho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, often called "Tenjin-san" or "Kitano-san," is a popular shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning. After Michizane was exiled to Dazaifu in 903, Kyoto experienced frequent lightning strikes and disasters, which were rumored to be caused by his curse. In 947, the imperial court built the shrine at its current location to honor him.
A large torii gate marks the entrance, leading to a long approach path. Near the second torii is a subordinate shrine called Banushi-sha, whose torii gate is known as one of Kyoto's three rare torii gates.
Beyond the gate with guardian statues, there are many cow statues. Sugawara no Michizane is closely associated with cows, with various legends including "Michizane was born in the Year of the Ox, a cow cried when seeing him off to exile, Michizane rode a cow to Dazaifu, a cow protected him from assassins, and a cow determined the location of his grave."
Most of the shrine buildings at Kitano Tenmangu were built during the same period as the main hall, and underwent major repairs in 1700. The ema hall was built at that time, and many math problems and ema plaques are dedicated inside. The large gabled roof, which was originally made of wooden boards instead of tiles, is considered the oldest ema hall in Kyoto.
The Sankomon Gate, located in front of the worship hall, was built in 1607 through a donation by Toyotomi Hideyori, following an order by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The gate features vivid decorations and intricate carvings, and it has been designated as an Important Cultural Property. The plaque inscribed with "Tenmangu" is said to have been written by Emperor Go-Sai.
The worship hall, a National Treasure, was built in 1607 like the other shrine buildings. The hall features a large irimoya-zukuri (hip-and-gable roof) structure with a strong Buddhist influence. The arrangement of the buildings follows the gongen-zukuri style, with the large worship hall connected to the main hall by the "Ishi no Ma" (stone chamber).
The main hall is surrounded by an openwork fence hung with lanterns placed between the pillars. The decorative brackets on the roof and the bright red beams, combined with gold fittings, create a strikingly colorful shrine. This architectural style was later adopted in the construction of the Toyokuni Mausoleum.