This is a statue of Sugawara no Michizane 菅原道真, the god of learning. It dates from the Edo period, approximately 150-200 years ago. Sugawara no Michizane was a prominent politician, scholar, and poet during the Heian period of Japan. He is revered in later generations as the deity of learning and scholarship, playing a significant role in Japanese history and culture. Basic Information Lifespan: 845 (Jōwa 12) – 903 (Engi 3) Place of Birth: Yamashiro Province (present-day Kyoto Prefecture) Key Positions Held: Minister of the Right (Udaijin), Scholar of Letters (Monjō Hakase) Achievements as a Scholar and Poet From a young age, Michizane displayed exceptional talent in academics, particularly in Chinese literature and poetry. He studied Chinese culture extensively and left behind a substantial body of Chinese-style poetry (kanshi), which remains an essential part of Japanese literary history. His works often express longing for his hometown, the beauty of nature, and the transience of life. They are considered masterpieces that highlight his literary genius. Political Career Recognized for his scholarly brilliance, Michizane rose through the ranks in court, achieving an extraordinary career in the aristocratic world. He gained the trust of Emperor Uda and was promoted to Udaijin (Minister of the Right). However, as a political rival of the powerful Fujiwara clan, he was unjustly accused and exiled to Dazaifu (present-day Fukuoka Prefecture) in 901 during the political incident known as the Shōtai Incident (Shōtai no Hen). Posthumous Worship and Tenmangū Shrines Michizane died in Dazaifu, disheartened and in exile. After his death, a series of natural disasters and political turmoil were attributed to his angry spirit. This led people to fear him as a vengeful ghost (onryō). To appease his spirit, he was enshrined and eventually became revered as a deity of learning and scholarship. Over time, his worship spread widely. Major Shrines: Kitano Tenmangū (Kyoto) Dazaifu Tenmangū (Fukuoka) These shrines are particularly popular among students and scholars who pray for success in their studies. Michizane's Character and Famous Quote Michizane was known for his integrity and diligence. His dedication to learning and his struggles against adversity have inspired many throughout Japanese history. His poems and letters reflect his respect for knowledge and his internal conflict over his unjust treatment. Famous Poem: "If the east wind blows, let it carry the scent of plum blossoms. Even though their master is gone, do not forget the spring." This was written during his exile in Dazaifu, expressing his longing for his homeland through the imagery of plum blossoms. Height: 28.8 cm Width: 18.5 cm Depth: 10.8 cm Weight: 1180 g Condition: There is no major damage, but as this is an old item, there may be scratches, dirt, scuffs, peeling, etc. The adhesive surface may have peeled off over time. Please take this into consideration when purchasing this item as it is an old item. We have posted many photos, so please take a look. Atention: The items listed for sale are all used collectibles. Please consider them to have signs of aging, such as stains, scratches, scuffs, tears, discoloration, fading, fraying, and changes in thread color. We will post as many photos as possible to make it easy to understand. As these are old items, we appreciate your understanding before making a purchase. Shipping: The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan. We will use either DHL or FedEx for a safe and secure transportation. It usually takes about 2-3 weeks for delivery, and the package will be shipped with a tracking number. Import duties, taxes, VAT, and any other charges are not included in the item price and shipping cost. Please check your country's import duties before bidding. 100821051011