Egara Tenjinsha, Shinto shrine in Nikaidō, Kamakura, Japan.
Egara Tenjinsha is a Shinto shrine in Nikaidō featuring a vermilion-painted oratory and sacrarium set among over 100 plum trees that bloom during winter. The grounds display the nagare-zukuri architectural style with traditional wooden structures reflecting its historical construction.
The shrine was founded in 1104 by a local priest, predating the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate by Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1181. Its longevity makes it one of the oldest religious sites in the region.
The shrine honors Sugawara no Michizane, a historical scholar transformed into the deity Tenjin, creating a place where visitors pray for academic success. This veneration of a learned figure makes it a gathering point for students hoping to pass their examinations.
The shrine is located in Nikaidō, roughly a 10-minute walk from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine through residential streets of Kamakura. Its position in a quiet neighborhood means it tends to be less crowded than the more famous shrines nearby.
Within the shrine grounds stands the Efudezuka, a brush-shaped monument featuring signatures and illustrations from over 150 manga artists depicting kappa characters. This unusual monument blends traditional veneration with modern art culture and documents the connection between the shrine and the manga community.
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