Story of Michizane Sugawara, known as Tenjin 1800 - 1864

Reizen Saburo Tametaka created this print depicting the story of Michizane Sugawara, known as Tenjin. Notice the plum blossoms, a key symbol in the story of Sugawara, who was exiled and later deified as the god of learning, Tenjin. These blossoms, depicted in the upper part of the image, carry profound meaning. In Japan, plum blossoms symbolize perseverance, hope, and the arrival of spring after a long winter. As the story goes, Sugawara loved plum blossoms so much that when he was exiled, his favorite tree uprooted itself and flew to be with him, a powerful visual metaphor for longing and unwavering devotion. The image of uprooted trees and blossoming branches can be traced back to ancient myths, tales of migration, and renewal found in various cultures. The blossoms convey deep emotional states associated with separation, longing, and the cyclical nature of life and memory, constantly resurfacing and evolving as symbols of hope and resilience.