Undertaking Major Renovation of the Main Hall for the 1125th Anniversary Ceremony of Sugawara no Michizane's Death in 2027
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is set to undertake the reconstruction of its main hall (Kohon-den) in preparation for the Shikinen Taisha ceremony scheduled for 2027. In line with this, it has announced the completion of a temporary shrine, "Kariden (?den)," which will serve as the provisional shrine welcoming visitors during the three-year reconstruction period.
Kariden was completed through collaboration with creators representing the Reiwa era, carrying on the legacy of Sugawara no Michizane, revered as "Tenjin-sama," the god of culture and arts.
The design and planning of Kariden were handled by "Fujimoto Sosuke Architectural Design Office," led by Sosuke Fujimoto, who served as the design producer for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. Kariden was sensibly designed to blend traditional structure, following the "Kohon-den," with modern design sensibilities, symbolizing the continuation of Dazaifu Tenmangu's history and tradition spanning over 1100 years into the future. Mr. Sosuke Fujimoto said, "I asked myself whether it was possible to incorporate modern architectural techniques into Dazaifu Tenmangu, which carries a long history and tradition. Although it is only for three years, I hope Kariden will offer visitors an impressive landscape where they can feel both history and nature together."
The curtains and banners installed at Kariden were designed by Maiko Kurogouchi's fashion brand "Mame Kurogouchi," who has participated in the Paris Collection. The curtains prominently feature plum trees, symbolizing Dazaifu Tenmangu, and the composition with a left-right gradient captures the scenery of Dazaifu Tenmangu. Notably, the silk used for the banners was dyed using traditional techniques applied to modern chemical fibers, utilizing plum blossoms, camphor tree branches, and gardenia collected from within the Dazaifu Tenmangu precincts. Maiko Kurogouchi said, "I wanted to depict the life-giving scenery that envelops the entirety of Dazaifu Tenmangu." The curtains and banners embody the strength and abundance of nature, and through them, she hopes visitors will feel the breath of early summer.
On the 13th, a Tenza Festival will be held to commemorate the completion of Kariden, and all subsequent events and worship will take place at Kariden.
Nobuhiro Nishitakatsuji, the shrine's chief priest at Dazaifu Tenmangu, said, "In the face of an unprecedented large-scale reconstruction in the history of Dazaifu Tenmangu, we have collaborated with creators who continue to take on various challenges in the Reiwa era to build a special Kariden. We are pleased to present a Kariden that reflects the unique characteristics of each era and aligns with the values of Sugawara no Michizane. We hope many people will enjoy the scenery of Kariden and Dazaifu Tenmangu."
Meanwhile, Dazaifu Tenmangu holds the Shikinen Taisha ceremony every 25 years to revive the divine spirit and promote Tenjin faith. Notably, 2027 marks the 1125th anniversary of Sugawara no Michizane's death, a monumental year. In response, the main hall will undergo extensive renovations, including disaster prevention work, replacement of the cypress roof, and lacquer coating, with completion expected around 2026. This large-scale reconstruction is the first since the rebuilding of the "Kohon-den," and thereafter, a specialist committee comprising architects and historians will be formed to reevaluate the historical value and cultural significance of the building.
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