天神さんの七不思議 February in Kyoto: half blooming plum at Kitano Tenmangu

二月の京都
暖かさに後押しされてやっと天神さん（北野天満宮）へお参りに行きました。梅は五分咲き。白梅、紅梅が神社の社殿に映え、なんとも良い雰囲気を醸し出していました。
子供の頃からの私のおきまりは、三光門（中門）の右手前にある灯篭の大黒様のお顔の鼻の穴に小石をそっと置き「どうぞお守りください」と祈り、うまいこと置けた石を大切に持って帰ることです。
この大黒様のお顔の鼻の穴は天神様の七不思議の一つで、多くの参拝者が石を置くようになったんやろな、なんや穴が広がり薄べらくなり、なかなか石を置きにくくなっています。
皆さんも一度ためしてみてはいかがですか。
February in Kyoto 2024
Encouraged by the warmth, I finally made a visit to Tenjin-san (Kitano Tenmangu Shrine). The plum blossoms were about half bloomed. The white and red plums stood out against the shrine's buildings, creating a delightful atmosphere.
A tradition of mine since childhood is to place a small stone in the nostril-like hole of Daikoku-sama's face on the lantern in front of the right side of the Sanko-mon (middle gate), praying 'Please protect us again this year,' and carefully taking home the stone placed successfully.
This nostril of Daikoku-sama's face is one of the Seven Wonders of Tenjin-sama, and many visitors have placed stones there. The hole seems to have widened over time, making it quite challenging to place a stone.
Why not give it a try yourselves?"

Lantern of Daikoku-sama　　　　　　       Patting a cow on the head in order to reveive the wisdom

Beautiful plum trees in the shrine　　　                         　　　　　　I made it! Succeed!