The origins of Kitano Tenjin Shrine

Picture scrolls. They depict the life story of Sugawara no Michizane, as well as the curses he suffered after his death, the origins of the founding of Kitano Tenjin Shrine, and stories of his miraculous powers. They are circulated at Tenmangu Shrines all over the country. Among them, the eight volumes of the "Jokyu version" (national treasure) and the two remaining volumes of the "Koan version" housed at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto are particularly famous for their ancient production dates and high artistic value. The "Jokyu version" is so named because the opening text reads "From the first year of Jokyu, year of the Rabbit (1219) until now," and it is thought to have been produced around that time. This scroll only tells the story of Michizane's life, his deeds after his death, and the pilgrimage of Nichizo (a 10th century monk) through the six realms, but does not include the origins of the enshrinement of Kitano Tenjin Shrine or the miraculous tales that are found in other Tenjin Engi. This scroll is the widest among all existing scrolls, and its large screen features a bold composition, powerful brushstrokes, gorgeous colors, and lively depictions, making it the highlight of the Kitano Tenjin Engi. The Koan version is so named because the words at the end of the second volume read, "In the summer of June in the first year of the Koan era (1278) he performed a small feat," and because the author is traditionally said to be Tosa Yukimitsu, it is also known as the Yukimitsu version. In contrast to the Jokyu version, it uses delicate lines and light colors, and is full of elegance. The production period is thought to be around the Koan period.

Besides these two works, other noteworthy works include "Matsuzaki Tenjin Engi" (6 volumes, Yamaguchi, Hofu Tenmangu Shrine) and "Egara Tenjin Engi" (3 volumes). "Matsuzaki Tenjin Engi" tells the story of Michizane's life and the miraculous powers he exerted as a god-man after his death, and also includes the origins of the founding of Matsuzaki Shrine (now Hofu Tenmangu Shrine), which is what makes it different from other Tenjin Engi works. Created in 1311 (Ocho 1), the paintings are characterized by their thick, clear lines and vivid colors. "Egara Tenjin Engi" was given this name because it was handed down to Egara Shrine in Kamakura, and was created in 1319 (Gen'o 1). Many other works from the Muromachi period onwards have also been preserved, which attest to the remarkable spread of Tenjin faith from the Middle Ages onwards.

[Yasushi Murashige]

"Minamoto Toyomune, ed., Newly Revised Complete Collection of Japanese Picture Scrolls 9: The Origin of Kitano Tenjin" (1977, Kadokawa Shoten)" ▽ "Komatsu Shigemi, ed., Japanese Picture Scrolls 21: The Origin of Kitano Tenjin" (1978, Chuokoron-Shinsha)" ▽ "Komatsu Shigemi, ed., Continued Japanese Picture Scrolls 16: The Origin of Matsuzaki Tenjin" (1983, Chuokoron-Shinsha)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

絵巻。菅原道真(すがわらのみちざね)の一代の伝記に、あわせてその死後の祟(たた)りや北野天神創建の由来、およびその霊験譚(れいげんたん)などを描いたもので、諸国の天満宮に流布している。そのなかで制作年代も古く作品的価値も高いものとして、京都北野天満宮所蔵の「承久(じょうきゅう)本」8巻（国宝）と「弘安(こうあん)本」残欠2巻とがとくに名高い。「承久本」は詞書(ことばがき)の初めに「承久元年己卯(つちのとう)（1219）今に至るまで」とあるのでこのようによばれ、制作時期もそのころと考えられる。この絵巻は道真一代の物語、死後の事跡および日蔵（10世紀の高僧）の六道めぐりを説くにとどまり、他の天神縁起にみられるような、その後の北野天神鎮座の由来や、霊験譚を欠いている。本巻は現存絵巻物中もっとも縦幅が広く、その大画面に大胆な構図、雄渾(ゆうこん)な筆致を用い、色彩は華麗で描写も溌剌(はつらつ)としており、「北野天神縁起」中の圧巻である。「弘安本」は、下巻の詞の末尾に「弘安元年（1278）夏六月のころ微功をおふ」とあることからこの名があり、筆者が従来土佐行光(ゆきみつ)と伝えるところから「行光本」とも称される。承久本とは反対に、繊細な描線、淡泊な色彩を用い、優雅な趣(おもむき)に富む。制作時期はやはり弘安ごろとみられる。

　この2作のほかに注目すべきものとして『松崎天神縁起』（6巻、山口・防府(ほうふ)天満宮）『荏柄(えがら)天神縁起』（3巻）があげられる。『松崎天神縁起』は、道真の一代記、および死後の神人としての霊験譚のほかに、松崎神社（現防府天満宮）創建の由来を加え、この点が他の天神縁起と内容を異にする。1311年（応長1）の制作で、絵は濃く明確な描線と鮮麗な色彩が特徴的である。『荏柄天神縁起』は鎌倉の荏柄神社に伝来したのでこの名があり、1319年（元応1）の制作。このほか室町以後のものも多数伝存し、中世以降における天神信仰の著しい普及を物語っている。

［村重　寧］

『源豊宗編『新修日本絵巻物全集9　北野天神縁起』（1977・角川書店）』▽『小松茂美編『日本絵巻大成21　北野天神縁起』（1978・中央公論社）』▽『小松茂美編『続日本絵巻大成16　松崎天神縁起』（1983・中央公論社）』

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