Michizane in Exile, from a Kitano tenjin engi handscroll c 1219 ink and colours on paper Kyoto, Japan, Kitano Shrine Michizane was born in Kyoto in 845 into a family of scholars and was heir to a long tradition of loyal service to the Emperor. He was a devoted scholar from his earliest years and at the tender age of five gazed at a plum tree in the family garden and composed this celebrated Waka: "How beautiful the red plum blossom, I wish to color my cheek with it." By the age of eleven he was composing poetry in the Chinese style and using Chinese characters. He went on to serve the Emperor as a trusted Minister of the Right, until he fell into disfavor and was exiled to Dazaifu, where he was known as Dazai Gonnosochi. Two years of his exile were spent at Enokisha (Enoki Shrine) about three kilometers west of Dazaifu Tenmangu. He died in the spring of 903, aged 59. The construction of the main shrine above his final resting place marked the beginning of Dazaifu Tenmangu.