Michizane Sugawara was a Heian Era scholar who was deified after his death, to become the god Tenjin. There are many Tenjin shrines throughout Japan where students - and parents of students - request Sugawara's help for success in their studies. Besides praying, they often buy o-mamori (good luck charms) to carry into exams with them. It would seem that good luck expires after a year, because there was a tent piled with New Year decorations, old charms and other sacred debris. You can't throw that holy stuff away in the rubbish bag, you know!
- 1 min read
Sugawara Shrine in Machida
Dedicated to Tenjin, Shinto god of scholarship
Explore nearby
Join the discussion
Iain Stanley
11 years ago
Does luck go by the regular calendar, or the Lunar?
I'd guess Lunar :-)
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