The spirit of the slandered scholar and statesman SUGAWARA NO MICHIZANE died in exile at Dazaifu in 903.
Michizane became the patron of scholarship and calligraphy.
He was revered as the god of learning.
He became a leading member of the court, thanks to his brilliant scholarly achievements, but he ran afoul of the powerful Fujiwara family, who werejealous of his abilities.
In 901 they succeeded in getting him exiled to Kyushu.
He was separated from his wife and many children, and set off on the long journey from Kyoto with only two small children and single disciple to accompany him.