Apr 4, 2015 - 1 min read

Scapegoat Tenjin Shrine in Nagasaki

A plum grove Maruyama prostitutes and Geisha frequented

By Masayoshi Hirose

Community writer

Translated by Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

According to the legend, the Tenjin (a god of this Tenmangu shrine) played a role of a scapegoat and got hurt instead of this shrine's founder, who was attacked and stabbed but miraculously unharmed.

This is also the location of a famous novel, 'Nagasaki Burabura Bushi (Wandering Nagasaki)'

My visit coincided with the best season for plum blossoms!

'Nade-ushi (petting cow)'; it is said that if you have aches on your body and pet the same parts of this cow's body, your aches will go away.

Tenjin shrine has white torii gates (see the second photo) and this Inari (fox) shrine inside it has red gates! The combination of red and white can be considered as a good-luck charm.

They say if you trace your finger on these letters that write 'Tenman-gu (Tenman shrine), your handwriting will improve

'Ebisu Stone'; it is said that when you look at this stone and see Ebisu god smiles, you can smile better and you will become beautiful in body and soul

'Ume-zono (plum grove) Pathway' in Maruyama Town

On February 22nd in 2015, Nagasaki City, especially the neighborhood of Chinatown, was bustling with people enjoying the Lantern Festival. I decided to visit the festival at night and in daytime explored the vicinity of Yoriai Town to Maruyama Town, which still retains the atmosphere of the licensed pleasure quarters it used to be. During the day these towns were quiet. When I climbed the narrow path called 'Ume-zono Pathway' (plum grove path), I saw two torii gates. I passed through them to find Tenjin Shrine (Tenman-gu) on my right. Since it was close to the pleasure quarters, prostitutes of Maruyama and Geisha used to frequent this small shrine.

Exploring the Vicinity of Maruyama in Nagasaki 1. Scapegoat Tenjin Shrine in Nagasaki 2. Nakano-chaya Teahouse in Nagasaki