Traditional events at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
| Location | City of Dazaifu |
|---|---|
| Designation | Undesignated |
| Emblem |  |
Many annual events of the Imperial Court were transferred to Dazaifu by senior government officials during the Heian period (794-1185), and they were conducted in front of Tenman-Tenjin deity. They were called Shido no En. Among these, Kyokusui no En with its origin in the continent, as well as Tanabata no En and Zankiku no En are still practiced today. At these events, poems including Chinese-style poems are created.
An Imperial Event to Liven Up the Season
During the Heian Period, imperial events were reenacted by officials stationed in Dazaifu. They began hosting the “Kyokusui no en” (Winding Stream Banquet) in 958, “Zankiku no en” (Late Chrysanthemum Banquet) in 964, “Naien” (Private Banquet) in 995, and “Tanabata no en” (Star Festival Banquet) in 1046, which together were called “Shido no en” (For Banquets). While there was a time when these banquets were suspended, “Kyokusui no en”, “Tanabata no en”, and “Zankiku no en” are now held, allowing visitors to experience the culture of the past in each season. The most famous among these is the Winding Stream banquet, in which people dressed in Heian-era costume such as traditional court dress and twelve-layered kimonos, recite waka poems and drink sake from cups that flow past them along a winding stream.
Dazaifu City Characters/Tabito the Traveler, Otomo no Tabitto, Princess Reiwa
“Kyokusui no en” is held on the first Sunday of March. People wearing formal attire from the Heian period such as imperial costume (ikan sokutai) and the twelve-layered kimono (juni hitoe) sit along a winding stream reciting poetry, a scene reminiscent of spring.
“Tanabata no en” is held on the Star Festival in July. The precincts are lined colorful strips of paper and bamboo branches hung with decorations, heralding the arrival of summer.
“Zankiku no en” is held in November, in late autumn. Calligraphers drink sake with chrysanthemums floating in it along the edge of a winding stream, then write calligraphy in the Calligraphy Hall. The Chrysanthemum Exhibition decorating the precincts is highly recommended as well.
Access Information
Address
818-0117 4-7-1 saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka
By Train
About 5 min on foot fromNishitetsu Dazaifu Station
About the Western Capital
The “Western Capital”, created in Tsukushi 1300 years ago. Cultural assets speaking to the magnificence of this city of international exchange that flourished in East Asia are scattered across the cities of Chikushino, Kasuga, Onojo, Dazaifu, Nakagawa, and Umi in Fukuoka Prefecture as well as the town of Kiyama in Saga Prefecture.