{"id":11193,"date":"2022-03-04T18:14:27","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T09:14:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/?p=11193"},"modified":"2025-02-26T17:43:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T08:43:43","slug":"plum-bonsai-swords-at-osaka-tenmangu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/2022\/03\/04\/plum-bonsai-swords-at-osaka-tenmangu\/","title":{"rendered":"Plum Bonsai &#038; Samurai Swords at Osaka Tenmangu"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Spring is absolutely stunning at <a href=\"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/spot\/osaka-tenmangu-shrine\/\">Osaka Tenmang\u016b Shrine<\/a>! Take a stroll through the shrine grounds to see and smell the countless varieties of plum blossoms blooming in all shades of pink, white, and crimson.<br \/>\nAnd if your timing is right, visit the special plum bonsai and sword exhibition. But it&#8217;s only open for about two weeks. Just like the flowers!<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 10px; border-radius: 0px; background: #f7f7f7;\">\n<h2 style=\"color: #806c55; margin: 10px 0 0;\">\uff3bContents\uff3d<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#anchor1\">Osaka Tenmang\u016b Shrine &#038; its Guardian Deity<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#anchor2\">Annual Tenma Tenjin Ume Matsuri (Plum Flower Festival)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#anchor3\">Bonsai Plum Exhibit<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#anchor4\">Sword Display<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#anchor5\">Sights to See Nearby<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"anchor1\" style=\"color: #B9066C;\">\u25a0Osaka Tenmang\u016b Shrine &#038; its Guardian Deity<\/h2>\n<p>First a little background on the shrine&#8230;<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/MG_2920-scaled-e1646209493278.jpg\" alt=\"Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, Tenjin-san entrance gate\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11348\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Osaka Tenmang\u016b Shrine is a large centrally-located shrine in the heart of Osaka, just steps away from <a href=\"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/spot\/tenjimbashisuji-shopping-street\/\">Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Arcade<\/a>.\u3000This Shinto shrine is devoted to Sugawara no Michizane (846\u2013903), a political figure renowned for his knowledge of Chinese literature and poetry. After falling out of favor with the emperor, he was banished to the island of Ky\u016bsh\u016b where he spent his final days.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/22602-e1646210157163.jpg\" alt=\"Sugawara no Michizane before the emperor, receiving a gift\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11349\" \/><br \/>\n\u25b2Michizane (in black) once had a close relationship with the emperor<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22809-e1646375838568.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11431\" \/><br \/>\n\u25b2When Michizane died, his body was towed by an ox, which collapsed and refused to move any further. His body was buried at this spot, which is present-day Daizaifu Tenmang\u016b Shrine.<\/p>\n<p>After Michizane\u2019s death a series of misfortunes befell the imperial capital of Ky\u014dto, which were thought to be the doings of Michizane. To appease his angry spirit a shrine was built in his honor to lift the curse and he became posthumously known as Tenjin, the deity of scholarship and learning. Students from all over Kansai visit Osaka Tenmang\u016b to pray for good luck in their academics, especially during exam season.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/02\/MG_8990-scaled-e1646209297729.jpg\" alt=\"Osaka Tenmangu Shrine charms for academic success, shaped like school bags\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11347\" \/><br \/>\n\u25b2School-bag shaped amulets sold at Osaka Tenmang\u016b<\/p>\n<p>Throughout his life Michizane composed many poems, including this one which was written to his beloved plum tree, just before he left Ky\u014dto:<\/p>\n<p><em>When the east wind blows,<br \/>\nflourish in full bloom,<br \/>\nyou plum blossoms!<br \/>\nEven though you lose your master<br \/>\ndon&#8217;t be oblivious to spring.<\/em> <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_0152-scaled-e1646211839524.jpg\" alt=\"ume plum blossom at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, Japan\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11355\" \/><br \/>\n\u25b2Plum Blossoms at Osaka Tenmang\u016b in Spring<\/p>\n<p>The Tenjin Shrine in Osaka is one of Japan\u2019s largest Tenjin shrines and was built on the grounds of Daish\u014dgun Shrine, where, according to legend,  7 pine trees appeared overnight almost 50 years after Michinzane\u2019s death. Daish\u014dgun Shrine is one of the smaller shrines at Tenmang\u016b and is eclipsed by the much larger buildings of the main shrine. As Michizane loved plums, you\u2019ll find a variety of spring-blooming plum trees at Osaka Tenmang\u016b and other Tenjin shrines across the country.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22553-e1646211124180.jpg\" alt=\"Daish\u014dgun Shrine, at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, Japan\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11352\" \/><br \/>\n\u25b2Daish\u014dgun Shrine, located on Osaka Tenmang\u016b Shrine grounds<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anchor2\" style=\"color: #B9066C;\">Annual Tenma Tenjin Ume Matsuri (Plum Flower Festival)<\/h2>\n<p>Every year between February and March Osaka Tenmang\u016b Shrine grounds are bursting with tiny pink and white blossoms and the aromatic fragrance of these sweet signs of spring. Visitors revel in the beauty of the various  plum trees in and around the shrine in bloom, the bonsai plum and sword exhibit, and the special limited-time goshuin (shrine stamps and lettering) that are available only during the plum festival.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22606.jpg\" alt=\"ume plum tree garden at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine\" width=\"1477\" height=\"1108\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22606.jpg 1477w, https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22606-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1477px) 100vw, 1477px\" \/><br \/>\n\u25b2Ume garden on shrine grounds (free admission)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22607.jpg\" alt=\"plum-shaped ema votive plaques at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine\" width=\"1435\" height=\"1141\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22607.jpg 1435w, https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22607-768x611.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1435px) 100vw, 1435px\" \/><br \/>\n\u25b2Ume-blossom shaped <em>ema<\/em> (wooden prayer tablets) with prayers for academic success<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anchor1\" style=\"color: #B9066C;\">Bonsai Plum Exhibit<\/h2>\n<p>The shrine is fun to visit in spring and the plum blossoms in the shrine garden are beautiful, but if you have an extra hour in your day, definitely visit the bonsai exhibit. It is worth the price of admission!<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22556-e1646213140362.jpg\" alt=\"Bonbai, ume bonsai exhibit at Osaka Tenmangu, Japan\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11360\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Magnificently stunning, the exhibit features countless plum trees that have been carefully cultivated over many generations. The oldest bonsai on display is estimated to be almost 300 years old. These not-so-tiny trees are displayed in the shoin-zukuri style shrine buildings with their long corridors and sliding panels providing an elegant backdrop for the bonsai.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22812-e1646362661620.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11416\" \/><br \/>\nThe exhibit was absolutely breathtaking and so fragrant it attracted a number of buzzy visitors besides myself. It might be best to let the pictures speak for themselves.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22554.jpg\" alt=\"300 year old Ume Bonsai special exhibit Osaka Tenmangu\" width=\"1478\" height=\"1108\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22554.jpg 1478w, https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22554-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1478px) 100vw, 1478px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22810.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1477\" height=\"1108\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22810.jpg 1477w, https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22810-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1477px) 100vw, 1477px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22608-e1646213648944.jpg\" alt=\"Ume Bonsai special exhibit Osaka Tenmangu\" width=\"800\" height=\"856\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11362\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22815-e1646362708545.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"859\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11417\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Even if you have very little knowledge of bonsai, the shapes and tree varieties, you can still enjoy the displays. It&#8217;s truly amazing to see how they have been molded into certain unusual shapes, and their lasting beauty despite the tree cores having eroded over the centuries.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22814-e1646363941580.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"932\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11425\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22811.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1108\" height=\"1477\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11418\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22811.jpg 1108w, https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22811-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1108px) 100vw, 1108px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anchor3\" style=\"color: #B9066C;\">Samurai Sword Displays<\/h2>\n<p>The swords are something else! Each displayed in a glass case, history buffs will appreciate the many blades on display and the details about who owned them. (Although, beware, most of the signage is in Japanese only.)<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22834-e1646381802607.jpg\" alt=\"Tenk\u014dmaru sword display Osaka Tenmangu\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11440\" \/><br \/>\n\u25b2 The centerpiece of the exhibit\u2014Tenk\u014dmaru, a sword said to have been loved by the great warrior Minamoto no Yorimitsu, aka Minamoto no Raik\u014d (948\u20131021).<\/p>\n<p>The proper way to display a sword in peace-times is with the handle on the left, because there should be no need to pick it up quickly to arm oneself. A samurai would have carried 3 swords at a time, the <em>tachi<\/em> (long sword), <em>wakizashi<\/em> (mid-sized sword), and <em>tant\u014d<\/em> (small blade). Examples of these different blades can be seen here with accompanying accessories, and some unusually shaped blades.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22836-e1646383011862.jpg\" alt=\"Samurai sword display at Osaka Tenmangu, Japan\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11443\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22833-e1646380350813.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese samurai sword on display at Osaka Tenmangu\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11436\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/225571-e1646378704493.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese samurai arrowhead display, yanone\/yajiri\" width=\"800\" height=\"466\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11433\" \/><br \/>\n\u25b2Various styles of samurai arrowhead, including <em>watakushi<\/em>(rope-cutter) and <em>karimata<\/em>(flesh-ripper).<\/p>\n<h3>Event Details<\/h3>\n<p>Date: Feb. 11\u2013Mar. 2, 2025 (exact dates vary by year)<br \/>\nTime: 9:30\u201316:30 (last admission at 16:00)<br \/>\nPlace: Assembly Hall at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine<br \/>\nAdmission: Adults \u00a5700, Children (middle school age &#038; below) \u00a5400, Groups of 10 or more \u00a5600<br \/>\nTickets can be purchased onsite.<br \/>\nOfficial information can be found on the <a href=\"https:\/\/osakatemmangu.or.jp\/saijireki\/ume\" rel=\"nofollow \">Osaka Tenmangu website<\/a> (in Japanese).<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anchor5\" style=\"color: #B9066C;\">Sights to See Nearby<\/h2>\n<p>Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Arcade is the longest shopping arcade in all of Japan. Spanning 2.6 kilometers, this street has hundreds of stores, restaurants, and more! It is a fabulous place to explore, dine, and shop. Overhead decorations also change throughout the length of the street and fondly recall the local culture with images of torii gates, ladybugs, and wildly styled deities.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2022\/03\/22841-e1646383549638.jpg\" alt=\"Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Streeet\/Arcade\" width=\"850\" height=\"850\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11445\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Just steps from the northern entrance to the shrine is an traditional performance hall, <a href=\"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/spot\/\u5929\u6e80\u5929\u795e\u7e41\u660c\u4ead\/\">Tenma Tenjin Hanjotei<\/a> known for its entertaining <em>rakugo<\/em> (traditional storytelling) performances. The building facade is also a lovely place to snap a photo.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2021\/04\/110-20170110_200607_372786-e1646385246138.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"570\" height=\"570\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5793\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This area is also a haven for amazing food, like <a href=\"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/spot\/words-cafe\/\">Words Cafe<\/a>, which pays homage to Hanjotei and the deep relationship with locution. So be sure to stop by one of the neighboring restaurants or cafes when you visit. <\/p>\n<p>\u25bcIf you liked this article, read more<br \/>\n<a href=\" https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/2021\/02\/03\/osakacastle-plum\/\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; border: 1px solid #cccccc; padding: 10px; border-radius: 0px; background: #ffffff;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-1499\" style=\"display: inline-block; margin-right: 10px; object-fit: cover; width: 100px; height: 100px;\" src=\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2021\/02\/osakacastle-plum-main-1.jpg\" alt=\u201cplum grove osaka castle park\u201d width=\"100\" height=\"70\" \/><span style=\"display: block; align-self: center; text-decoration: none;\"> The first signs of spring! Plum blossoms at Osaka Castle<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spring is absolutely stunning at Osaka Tenmang\u016b Shrine! Take a stroll through the shrine grounds to see and smell the countless varieties of plum blossoms blooming in all shades of pink, white, and crimson. And if your timing is right, visit the special plum bonsai and sword exhibition. But it&#8217;s only open for about two [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":11360,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[230,212,199,157,143,142,173],"tags":[],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"author_id":"","author_name":"","author_image":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11193"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11193"}],"version-history":[{"count":45,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11193\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21545,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11193\/revisions\/21545"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maido-bob.osaka\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}