Dazaifu City (太宰府市) is a city located in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.  Nearby cities include Onojo (大野城市) and Chikushino (筑紫野市).  Although mostly urban, it does have arable land used for paddy fields and market gardening.  As of March 2010, the city has an estimated population of 69,965 and a density of 2,370 persons per sq. km.  The total area is 29.58 sq. km.  The city was officially founded on April 1, 1982, although it has been important historically for around a thousand years.
  Dazaifu (大宰府), the imperial office governing the Kyushu District, was moved from present-day Fukuoka after 663.  Dazaifu hosted foreign embassies from China and Korea.   Koro-kan (鴻臚館), a guesthouse for foreign embassies, was also established.  From the Nara Period through the Heian Period and until the Kamakura Period, Dazaifu was one of the military and administrative centers of Japan.  In the Heian Period, Dazaifu was a place of exile for high-ranking courtiers.  Nobles exiled there include Michizane Sugawara (菅原道真, 845-903), who was later deified, and upon whose grave the Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine stands.  Dazaifu was sometimes attacked by rebels.  At other times the head of Dazaifu himself raised a rebellion.  With the invasions of the Mongols and the decline of imperial authority, Dazaifu became less politically significant. In the Muromachi Period the political center of Kyushu was moved to Hakata.  In medieval times, Dazaifu was the base of the Shoni clan (少弐氏), which was expelled by the Ouchi clan (大内氏) in 1497.  In the Edo Period, Dazaifu was a part of the Kuroda-han (黒田藩) until its abolition in 1873.
  Komyozen-ji Temple (光明禅寺) is a Zen temple famous for its beautiful stone garden.  It was built during the Kamakura period just next to Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine (太宰府天満宮).  All three are within walking distance of Nishitetsu Dazaifu Statio (西鉄太宰府駅).  Another temple of note in the area is Kanzeon-ji (観世音寺), built in the 8th century.  It was once the chief Buddhist temple on Kyushu and houses a number of historical, artistic, and religious treasures.  The ruins of the medieval Dazaifu Administrative Buildings (太宰府政庁跡), also located within walking distance of Dazaifu Station, are today a public park.  The Kyushu National Museum opened on October 16, 2005.  A striking wood and glass building in a hilly landscape, it hosts collections of Japanese artifacts related to the history of Kyushu.  (Referred to the site of "Wikipedia.")
  

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Dazaifu Station

Dazaifu Station (太宰府駅), the last station on the Nishitetsu Dazaifu Line (西鉄太宰府線)

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(Saturday 20 March) Dazaifu Station (太宰府駅), the last station on the Nishitetsu Dazaifu Line (西鉄太宰府線)

Omote-Sando

Omote-Sando (表参道; lit. the main approach) to Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine (太宰府天満宮)

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(Saturday 20 March) Stone Shrine (石造鳥居) over Omote-Sando (表参道) to Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine

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(Saturday 20 March) Stone Shrine (石造鳥居) over Omote-Sando (表参道) to Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine

Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine

Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine (太宰府天満宮) is dedicated to Michizane Sugawara (菅原道真, 845-903), the Japanese God of Academics. Although he was not born to the dominating Fujiwara clan (藤原家), Michizane promoted to the Minister of the Right (右大臣). However, he got entrapped in a plot by his rival Tokihira Fujiwara (藤原時平, 871-909) he was demoted to the officer of Dazaifu (大宰権帥) from the minister in 901. Two years later in 903, Michizane got sick and died here in Dazaifu. Two years later, a series of calamities, storms, fires and violent deaths happened in Kyoto and people thought they were all attributed to Sugawara's deep-seated grudge. Thus Sugawara was posthumously reinstated to the highest rank (Sho-Ichii, Dajo-Daijin, the most important ministerial position) and later in 978 was even deified as "Kitano Tenman-gu Tenjin" (the God of Learning of Kitano-Tenman-gu), Kyoto, then of Dazaifu Tenman-gu, Fukuoka and of numerous other Tenman-gu shrines all over Japan. See also the Ichinoseki City page and the Kyoto City Central page.

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(Saturday 20 March) Statue of the Sacred Cow (神牛) by the entrance to Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine

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(Saturday 20 March) "Taiko-bashi" (太鼓橋; the Humpbacked Bridge), Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine

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(Saturday 20 March) "Hira-bashi" (太鼓橋; the Flat Bridge), Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine

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(Saturday 20 March) "Shinji-ike" pond (心池), viewed from "Hira-bashi" (平橋; the Flat Bridge), Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine

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(Saturday 20 March) "Taiko-bashi" (太鼓橋; the Humpbacked Bridge), Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine

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(Saturday 20 March) Stone Shrine (石造鳥居), Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine

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(Saturday 20 March) Ro-mon (楼門; the Two-Storied Gate), Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine

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(Saturday 20 March) "Temizu-ya" (手水舎; the Washing-Hand Point), Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine

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(Saturday 20 March) "Go-Hon-den" (ご本殿; the Main Hall), Dazaiu-Tenman-gu Shrine

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(Saturday 20 March) "Go-Hon-den" (ご本殿; the Main Hall), Dazaiu-Tenman-gu Shrine

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(Saturday 20 March) A Shinto priest praying at "Go-Hon-den" (ご本殿; the Main Hall), Dazaiu-Tenman-gu Shrine

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(Saturday 20 March) "Tobi-ume" (飛梅; the Flying Ume Tree), Dazaiu-Tenman-gu Shrine. As legend tells, this tree flew here from Kyoto, following Michizane in 901. The Tenman-gu shrine is very famous for ume (Japanese apricot) trees. The following tanka poem by Sugawara in Dazai-fu, is very familiar to the Japanese people: 東風吹かば (Kochi Fukaba) 匂い寄こせよ (Nioi Okoseyo) 梅の花 (Ume-no-hana) 主なしとて (Aruji Nashitote) 春な忘れそ (Haru na Wasureso) (When the easterly wind brows, Send your fragrance to me, The ume blossoms, Although your master is no longer there, Never forget to bloom in spring.) (trans. Eishiro Ito)

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(Saturday 20 March) Ume trees, Dazaiu-Tenman-gu Shrine

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(Saturday 20 March) "Ema" (絵馬; votive tablets), hanging place, Dazaiu-Tenman-gu Shrine

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(Saturday 20 March) Statue of the Sacred Cow, Dazaiu-Tenman-gu Shrine

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(Saturday 20 March) "Homotsu-den" (宝物殿; the Treasure House [Museum]) Dazaiu-Tenman-gu Shrine

Matsu-ya

Matsu-ya (松屋), a Japanese sweet shop along the Omote-Sando (表参道) to Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine. Their address is 2-6-12 Saifu, Dazaifu City (太宰府市宰府2-6-12).

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(Saturday 20 March) Matsu-ya (松屋), a Japanese sweet shop along the Omote-Sando (表参道) to Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine (2-6-12 Saifu, Dazaifu City)

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(Saturday 20 March) "Sakura-mochi" (桜餅), Matsu-ya (松屋), a Japanese sweet shop along the Omote-Sando (表参道) to Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine (2-6-12 Saifu, Dazaifu City)

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(Saturday 20 March) The inner garden of Matsu-ya (松屋), a Japanese sweet shop along the Omote-Sando (表参道) to Dazaifu-Tenman-gu Shrine (2-6-12 Saifu, Dazaifu City)

Jingo-san Komyozen-ji Temple

Jingo-san Komyozen-ji Temple (神護山 光明禅寺) was founded in 1273 (文永10年) by Priest Enshin Tetsugyu (鉄牛 円心 和尚) who was a descendant of Michizane Sugawara (菅原道真). It belongs to the Rnzai-shu Tofuku-ji-ha sect (臨済宗東福寺派) of Zen Buddhism. It is located at 2-16-1 Saifu, Dazaifu City (太宰府市宰府2-16-1).

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(Saturday 20 March) Jingo-san Komyozen-ji Temple, 2-16-1 Saifu, Dazaifu City

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(Saturday 20 March) Jingo-san Komyozen-ji Temple, 2-16-1 Saifu, Dazaifu City

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(Saturday 20 March) Jingo-san Komyozen-ji Temple, 2-16-1 Saifu, Dazaifu City

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(Saturday 20 March) Jingo-san Komyozen-ji Temple, 2-16-1 Saifu, Dazaifu City

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(Saturday 20 March) Jingo-san Komyozen-ji Temple, 2-16-1 Saifu, Dazaifu City

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(Saturday 20 March) Jingo-san Komyozen-ji Temple, 2-16-1 Saifu, Dazaifu City

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(Saturday 20 March) Jingo-san Komyozen-ji Temple, 2-16-1 Saifu, Dazaifu City

Kyushu National Museum

Kyushu National Museum (九州国立博物館) and Fukuoka Prefectural Asian Cultural Exchange Center (福岡県立アジア文化交流センター) are located at 4-7-2 Ishizaka, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka (福岡県太宰府市石坂4-7-2). It opened on October 16, 2005 as Japan's fourth national museum after Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara. This museum is based on the concept of "Interpreting the foundation of Japanese culture from the perspective of Asian history." So they specialize the intercultural relationship between Japan and other Asian nations.

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(Saturday 20 March) Inscription stone of Kyushu National Museum, 4-7-2 Ishizaka, Dazaifu City

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(Saturday 20 March) Kyushu National Museum, 4-7-2 Ishizaka, Dazaifu City

"Dazaifu-seicho-ato"

"Dazaifu-seicho-ato" (太宰府政庁跡; the Dazaifu Government Remains). It was functioned as the central office ruling the Kyushu District and the islands of Iki (壱岐) and Tsushima (対馬), defending the western national border and dealing with foreign affairs between the Nara Period and the Heian Period (between eighth and twelfth centuries).

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(Saturday 20 March) "Sekiya-bashi" Bridge (関屋橋) over the Mikasa-gawa River (みかさ川) near Nishitestu Tofuro-mae Station (西鉄 都府楼前駅)

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(Saturday 20 March) A stone lantern by the Stone Gate to "Dazaifu-seicho-ato" (太宰府政庁跡; the Dazaifu Government Remains)

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(Saturday 20 March) Stone Gate to "Dazaifu-seicho-ato" (太宰府政庁跡; the Dazaifu Government Remains)

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(Saturday 20 March) Entrance to "Dazaifu Tenji-kan" (太宰府展示館; the Dazaifu Museum), "Dazaifu-seicho-ato" (太宰府政庁跡; the Dazaifu Government Remains)

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(Saturday 20 March) "Dazaifu Tenji-kan" (太宰府展示館; the Dazaifu Museum), "Dazaifu-seicho-ato" (太宰府政庁跡; the Dazaifu Government Remains)

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(Saturday 20 March) Signposts for "Dazaifu-seicho-ato" (太宰府政庁跡; the Dazaifu Government Remains)

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(Saturday 20 March) Information Board of "Dazaifu-seicho-ato" (太宰府政庁跡; the Dazaifu Government Remains)

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(Saturday 20 March) "Dazaifu-seicho-ato" (太宰府政庁跡; the Dazaifu Government Remains)

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(Saturday 20 March) "Dazaifu-seicho-ato" (太宰府政庁跡; the Dazaifu Government Remains)

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(Saturday 20 March) "Dazaifu-seicho-ato" (太宰府政庁跡; the Dazaifu Government Remains)

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(Saturday 20 March) "Dazaifu-seicho-ato" (太宰府政庁跡; the Dazaifu Government Remains)

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(Saturday 20 March) "Dazaifu-seicho-ato" (太宰府政庁跡; the Dazaifu Government Remains)

        

Copyright (c) 2010 Eishiro Ito.  All rights reserved.