At Hofu Tenmangu Shrine in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, where Sugawara Michizane is celebrated, the annual "plum tearing" was held to harvest fruit from the plum tree that Michizane is said to have loved.
In the precincts of Hofu Tenmangu Shrine, which is known as a famous place for plum blossoms, about 1100,25 plum trees are planted, which is said to have been loved by the god of learning, Sugawara Michishin, and every year at this time of year, "plum tearing" is held to harvest plum fruits.
On the 4th, for the first time in four years, about 60 people, including local kindergarten children, participated and carefully picked off the blue plum fruits with a diameter of about 4 centimeters one by one.
The plum fruits that were collected and filled by the children were transported to the main shrine, where they were offered to the gods after the priests had prayed.
The participating children said, "I'm glad that I was able to pick a lot of large plum fruits" and "I would like to try plum juice and drink it."
Nanaba Watanabe of Miko said, "The children took the plums with great energy, so a lot of plums were gathered, and I hope that they will eat the plums and stay healthy without illness or injury."
At Hofu Tenmangu Shrine, about 1,1000 kilograms of plum fruits are harvested over a week, salted, dried in the sun, distributed to worshippers as a lucky gift, and served as plum tea on New Year's Day.