Dazaifu Tenmangu? Make Sure You Know This Before You Go! │ Absolute Taboos, Kiuso (Uso), the Meaning of the Bridge, Festivals (Matsuri), Local Specialties

 

 

Hello, This is Kaya Brown.

Continuing from my previous post, I will introduce more information about Dazaifu Tenmangu, a famous tourist spot in Fukuoka.

In the last post, I talked about the background of Dazaifu Tenmangu's construction,

the unique omikuji found only here,

the cow statue that is said to cure illnesses when touched,

and the Apricot(plum) tree that is believed to have lived for a thousand years.

 

▽ I'll provide the link below. ▽

2024.05.19 - [Travel Guide] - [Fukuoka Travel Guide] Dazaifu Tenmangu? Must-Know Information Before You Go! │Omikuji, Oxen, Apricot blossom, Uso (Wooden Bullfinch), Bridge Significance, Festivals (Matsuri), Local Specialties

[Fukuoka Travel Guide] Dazaifu Tenmangu? Must-Know Information Before You Go! │Omikuji, Oxen, Apricot blossom, Uso (Wooden Bul

 

✅ This time, I will cover the peculiar festivals unique to this shrine,

✅ the strange birds you can see everywhere besides the cows,

 

✅ the local specialties you can enjoy only at Dazaifu Tenmangu and nearby places worth visiting,

✅ and the things you must never do at this shrine.

 

Now, let's get started!

 

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🔎 The Birds You See Everywhere: Uso and Kiuso

 

When you visit Dazaifu Tenmangu, there is an animal you’ll see even more often than cows. It’s the bird in the photo below.

 

 

 

Huh...? Who are you?

 

 

This little friend is a bird called "Uso (鷽)."

In English, it’s known as the "bullfinch."

Its neck has a rosy hue, making it look like it’s wearing a stylish scarf, doesn’t it?

And It's a bird with a very pretty cry.

 

This cute bird is also known for bringing happiness.

 

At Dazaifu Tenmangu, they sell wooden carvings of this bird, called "Kiuso (木鷽)" in Japanese.

 

 

If you look closely, you’ll notice that even in the shopping area before you enter the shrine, there are many items shaped like this bird for sale.

 

 

 

This Uso bird, along with the cow, serves as a mascot for Dazaifu Tenmangu.

But why are they selling these not-so-cute wooden carvings of the bird?

 

The reason is related to a peculiar and mysterious festival (Matsuri) held at this shrine!!

 

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🔎 The Peculiar Festival: Usokae (鷽替え)

 

As I explained in the previous post,

this shrine is famous not only for scholarship but also for warding off epidemics.

 

At night, a secretive festival takes place here.

On the night of the festival, people gather with their bird carvings and wait for darkness.

Then, when night falls,

they exchange these carvings with people they pass in the dark.

They exchange and exchange again.

Every person they meet, they exchange carvings with.

 

Strange, right?

 

This Usokae (鷽替え, bird exchange) ritual

actually has an interesting meaning. 👀

"Uso" sounds like the Japanese word for "lie."

The ritual is a play on this word,

where people exchange their carvings to symbolically pass on and cleanse their lies and bad deeds, making them as if they never happened. ⭐🌟

 

This event, which prays for a peaceful year, is held annually on January 7th.

 

It’s a unique festival you won’t easily find elsewhere.

Among these carvings, one is painted gold,

and the person who receives this golden carving is said to have good luck throughout the year.

 

So, if you visit during this time, make sure to participate in the festival!

 

 

반응형

 

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🔎 Local Specialties and Nearby Attractions

 

Dazaifu Tenmangu is famous for its plum blossoms,

so you’ll find many specialties made with plums or plum-related products.

 

Especially on Omotesando, the road leading to the shrine, there are various products and foods made from local specialties. You can find restaurants where you can taste Fukuoka’s specialty, mentaiko (spicy cod roe), shops that sell only mentaiko products, and places that offer treats made exclusively with Fukuoka’s strawberry varieties. There are plenty of local specialties to enjoy.

 

However, Umegae Mochi does not contain plum or plum blossoms! Instead, the mochi is stamped with a plum blossom design. You can read more about the story related to this in the link below!

 

▽ For more information about the story of Umegae Mochi, click here ▽ (Use page translation)

2024.04.24 - [카페와 베이커리] - <우메가에모찌 10곳 전격비교> 다자이후텐만구 오모테산도 우메가에모찌(梅ヶ枝餠) 다 먹어보기! (제일 맛있는 집 추천 포함)

<우메가에모찌 10곳 전격비교> 다자이후텐만구 오모테산도 우메가에모찌(梅ヶ枝餠) 다 먹어보기!

 

 

Additionally, there is another small and beautiful shrine near Dazaifu Tenmangu.

It is Homangu Kamado Shrine.

 

While Dazaifu Tenmangu feels grand and majestic, Kamado Shrine offers a small and humble atmosphere with beautiful surrounding scenery.

 

▽ For more information about Kamado Shrine, click here ▽ (Use page translation)

2024.05.02 - [여행과 볼거리] - [후쿠오카 여행지 추천] 다자이후 카마도신사(귀멸의 칼날 성지)다자이후텐만구 근처 커플 여행지_Fukuoka Kamado

[후쿠오카 여행지 추천] 다자이후 카마도신사(귀멸의 칼날 성지)다자이후텐만구 근처 커플 여행

 

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🔎 Things You Must Never Do

 

When you enter the grounds of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, you will head towards the main hall via a bright red bridge over a pond.

 

 

There are certain behaviors to avoid on this bridge.

 

This bridge is actually composed of three connected bridges.

In order, they symbolize the past, the present, and the future.

 

✅ The first bridge represents the past, so you must never look back. This symbolizes not looking back on the past.

 

✅ The second bridge represents the present, so you should cross it in one go without stopping or hesitating.

 

✅ On the third bridge, you must be careful not to trip or stumble. This symbolizes the hope that your future will proceed smoothly.

 

Whether you believe it or not,

if many tourists stopped on the narrow bridge to take pictures, it would become very crowded.

Because of this belief, most tourists cross the bridge without hesitation. 👍

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I’ve shared a variety of information about Dazaifu Tenmangu.

 

Did you find it interesting?

( If you enjoyed this post, please be sure to hit the heart button~ 🧡)

 

If you’re planning a trip to Fukuoka,

make sure to visit Dazaifu Tenmangu.

 

The grandeur of the ancient trees and the beautifully arranged Japanese garden offer a different kind of enjoyment compared to city travel.

 

 

That’s all for now from Kaya Brown.

 

Thank you.