Born in 845 into the Sugawara family, a dynasty of scholars that had produced court academicians for generations. Called a prodigy from childhood and credited with composing Chinese poetry at age 11. He advanced through posts as Professor of Letters, Governor of Sanuki, and Chamberlain's Chief, earning deep trust from Emperor Uda and rising to Minister of the Right—an exceptional rise for a scholar in the age of Fujiwara dominance. When Uda abdicated in 900 in favor of Emperor Daigo, Michizane lost his protector, and in 901 Left Minister Fujiwara no Tokihira had him demoted to Dazaifu in Kyushu on fabricated charges. Departing Kyoto, he composed the famous poem urging his plum tree not to forget spring even without its master. At Dazaifu he was held in near-confinement, and died in despair on the 25th day of the second month of 903, aged 59. After his death, fires, plagues, and deaths of imperial family members struck Kyoto; his vengeful spirit was blamed. Dazaifu Tenmangu was founded in 919 and Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto in 947, enshrining him as "Tenjin-sama," the divine patron of learning.