NHK Documentaries
Prayers of a Thousand Years
2023 • E2 49m
Dazaifu Tenmangu enshrines Sugawara Michizane, the deity of learning, culture and the arts. Exiled from the capital in the 9th century, he died an untimely death. Why was Michizane deified by later rulers? Why is he still embraced by so many today? The shrine's grounds have become a sanctuary for wildlife, adorned with beautiful trees and flowers, protected by those who honor Michizane. The shrine has gathered people's prayers for a thousand years, exuding mystery and charm alongside the vibrant colors of the seasons.