Date & Time: Tuesday, May 5, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Visitors: Father and Son from Germany
Spots: *1 Enoshima Island – Bronze Torii Gate → *2Enoshima Shrine (Hetsumiya → Hoanden → Nakatsumiya) → Samuel Cocking Garden (Greenhouse Ruins) → Enoshima Sea Candle, Observation Lighthouse →Enoshima Shrine (Okutsumiya) → Wadatsumi-no-miya Shrine (Shrine of the Sea God) → Chigogafuchi Abyss→ Enoshima Iwaya Cave → Zuishin-mon Gate
Guide: a KSGG member
Language: English
The father and son were interested in gaining insight into the significance of nature and religion for Japanese people while exploring Enoshima Island. To help them better understand the historical development of the worship of Benzaiten, the goddess of music, arts, victory, and good fortune, the guide personally created an illustrated booklet with photographs.
The weather was beautiful on the day of the tour, but the island was extremely crowded due to Golden Week, Japan’s annual holiday period.
At the underpass near the entrance to Enoshima, they first received an introduction to the island and learned about the Enoshima pilgrimage during the Edo period in front of the Ukiyo-e prints depicting Enoshima.
As they came out of the underpass, the view suddenly opened up, with a breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji spreading out before them. The father and son, as well as the guide, spontaneously exclaimed in admiration.
The guide provided the father and son with a detailed explanation of Hoanden in advance, allowing them to better understand and appreciate the exhibits. After that, the actual tour started from the Bronze Torii Gate and headed up to Hetsumiya.
At the Hoanden Hall, they gained a deeper understanding of the origins of Benzaiten worship, with a focus on the Goma-hai Benzaiten (814), associated with *3Kukai and the Happi Benzaiten (Eight-Armed Benzaiten) (1182).
During the visit to Nakatsumiya, all three of them exchanged glances and shared a warm feeling as they watched a young Japanese girl quietly continue praying with her hands together even after her family had left.
For lunch at a Japanese restaurant on Enoshima Island, the father and son were pleased with both the view and the sashimi set meal, even though they had to wait 30 minutes to be seated.
At the Iwaya Caves, they learned that the caves had once served as places of prayer and Zen meditation, and came to appreciate their significance.
On the way back, at Zuishin-mon Gate (Gate of the pure heart) the son asked a thoughtful question: “What is the jewel in the hand of Benzaiten?” It was an insightful question. When the guide explained, “It is an evil-protecting peach because it resembles a peach, which is traditionally regarded as a symbol of protection against evil spirits,” he seemed satisfied with the explanation.
The memorable tour continued for more than two hours beyond the original schedule, as it was filled with enriching experiences and meaningful discoveries. The tour concluded when the guide saw the father and son off at Hase Station on the Enoden Line.
*1 Enoshima is a small island known for its beautiful scenery, historic shrines, and long history of maritime faith.
*2 Enoshima Shrine consists of three shrines: Hetsumiya, Nakatsumiya, and Okutsumiya. They are dedicated to Benzaiten, the goddess of music, the arts, and good fortune.
*3 Kukai (774–835) was a famous Japanese Buddhist monk and the founder of Shingon sect of Buddhism in Japan.
