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
9 years ago
Does luck go by the regular calendar, or the Lunar?
I'd guess Lunar :-)
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