¶ Tengoku
Tengoku (translated as "Tree of Heaven") is a massive sakura tree located in the Seichi province of Kirijima, towering at approximately 800 meters in height. This colossal tree is venerated as a deity by the people of Kirijima and serves as a significant pilgrimage site. Devotees visit Tengoku to purify themselves in the sacred waterfalls that surround the tree.
¶ The City of Chinkasou (Luthiren)
The city encircling Tengoku is known as Chinkasou in the Kansai language and Luthiren in Elvish. It is regarded as a holy city under the protection and governance of the Yugon Monks, an order dedicated to maintaining the spiritual sanctity of the tree and the surrounding area. No house claims dominion over the city, making it a neutral zone directly overseen by the Yugon Monks and the Shogun.
¶ The Shinsei Shukai and Hanami Festival
Every year, the Four Great Houses of Kirijima and the Shogun convene in Chinkasou for the Shinsei Shukai (Holy Assembly), where crucial matters of state are discussed. In conjunction with this event, the Hanami festival is held to honor Tengoku, drawing large crowds to celebrate and pay tribute to the revered tree.
¶ Mana Influence and Climate
The mana particles around Tengoku are highly concentrated, contributing to its immense growth. These particles also allow sakura trees to thrive in the otherwise cold climate of Seichi, where they would not normally survive. The area around the tree and the city enjoys a consistently mild temperature, believed to be influenced by the tree's magical aura.
¶ Ancient Origins
Tengoku is thousands of years old, so ancient that even the most skilled historians have been unable to determine its true age. However, the truth of its origin remains a closely guarded secret: the tree is the result of the previous Shogun’s self-sacrifice. The current Shogun buried her predecessor at the exact spot where Tengoku now stands, and the mana from his body, along with the magic from his final spell, served as the foundation for the tree's extraordinary growth. This knowledge is known only to the Shogun herself and Thranduil Leafsong, the leader of the Yugon monks.
¶ Sacred Protection
Tengoku is protected by several Shimenawa—large sacred ropes made of rice straw—which are placed around its base. These ropes are believed to purify the area and protect the tree from malevolent spirits. Each year, during the Hanami festival, the Shimenawa are ceremonially replaced to ensure the tree's continued protection.