天神縁起
菅原道真(845~903年)は、平安時代(794~1185年)の一流の朝廷の学者、歴史家、歌人、政治家です。彼は朝廷の右大臣従二位に昇進し、娘が宇多天皇の妃になるのを見届けましたが、天皇が息子の醍醐天皇に譲位すると決定的な後ろ盾を失ってしまいます。道真は、平安時代の影の権力者であった恐るべき藤原氏との対立後、幼い醍醐天皇に対して陰謀を企てたという濡れ衣を着せられ、官位を剥奪され大宰府に流されました。
道真が人を恨まず、最後まで誠心を尽くされたことから、亡くなったあともその人柄を慕う人々で天神信仰が広まりました。
政権は、道真の位階や称号を復活させ、学問・文化・芸術の神である天神として祀ることで、これらの災害に対応しました。その後、太宰府天満宮などが建立されて道真を祀りました。
天神信仰の進化の物語の一部は絵巻物で描かれています。天神の葬送車を引く牛が横になって動かないという象徴的な場面が描かれたものなどが展示されています。道真の信者たちは道真が望んだ兆候と解釈し、ここに道真の遺体を埋葬することにしました。
The Origins of Faith in Tenjin
Sugawara Michizane (845–903) was a leading court scholar, historian, poet, and political figure of the Heian period (794–1185). He rose to the second-highest office in Japan’s imperial court, and his daughter became the consort of Emperor Uda (866–931), but he lost crucial backing when the emperor abdicated in favor of his son, Daigo. After feuding with the formidable Fujiwara clan—the power behind the throne throughout much of Heian Japan—Michizane was falsely accused of conspiring against the young Daigo, stripped of his ranks and titles, and exiled to a post in Dazaifu.
Despite this setback, Michizane bore no ill will against his perpetrators and led a virtuous life until his death, two years after his exile. Many found strength through Michizane’s integrity in the face of adversity and he was widely admired. After his death, the ruling powers posthumously reinstated Michizane’s ranks and titles. Dazaifu Tenmangu and other shrines were subsequently built and dedicated to Michizane, deifying him as Tenjin, the deity of learning, culture, and the arts.
The tale of the Tenjin faith’s evolution is partly depicted in painted scrolls, and some scenes from the scrolls are exhibited here. One features an iconic scene in which an ox pulling Tenjin’s funeral cart lies down and refuses to budge. Michizane’s followers interpreted this as a sign that Michizane wished to be laid to rest at that spot and buried his body there.
