Enoshima Shrine (江島神社)
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| Enoshima (江の島) |
Enoshima Shrine (江島神社) in the is a Shinto shrine, in the Enoshima District of Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, enshrining the three sister goddesses Tagirihime-no-Mikoto (多紀理比賣命), Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto (市寸島比賣命), and Tagitsuhime-no-Mikoto (田寸津比賣命), collectively known as Enoshima Okami (江島大神) or Enoshima Myojin (江島明神) in the ancient times. Over time, they became identified as the kami (deity) Benzaiten (弁財天) and were worshipped as the Enoshima Benzaiten, kami of the ocean and water as well as bringers of prosperity and success in the arts.
There are various legends about the formation of Enoshima. According to Enoshima Engi, on April 12, 552, the earth trembled continuously until the morning of April 23. During the tremble, a celestial maiden, accompanied by fifteen child deities, appeared and created Enoshima. It is said under Emperor Kinmei's imperial command, a kami was enshrined in the cave in Enoshima, marking the foundation of Enoshima Shrine.
Later, in 700, a Buddhist ascetic named En no Ozunu entered seclusion in the cave and received divine inspiration, establishing the site as a sacred training site for Shugendo. Following him, it is said famous monks such as Taicho, Dochi, Kukai, Annen, and Nichiren also practiced ascetic training in the cave, seeking divine blessings. In 814, Kukai built Iwaya Hongu in the cave, and in 853, Ennin built Kami-no-miya. Later, in 1206, Ryoshin petitioned Minamoto no Sanetomo to build Shimo-no-miya.
When seawater enters the cave during the period from April to October, the honzon of Iwaya Hongu is moved to a temporary enshrinement site which was called Hongu Otabisho up until the Edo period. Though the exact date of its founding is unknown, historical records suggest it was built during the 1600's.
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| Hoan-den (奉安殿) |
As Japan entered a peaceful era during the Edo period, Enoshima Shrine's kami became to be worshipped as kami of arts, music, and wisdom, as well as kami of fortune and wealth. It is said, in 1600, the first shogun of the Edo shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu, visited and prayed at the shrine for healing from illness, safe childbirth, and protection during travel. This practice was past onto his successors.
In 1649, the shrine took the name Kinkizan Yoganji Temple, due to the syncretism of Buddhism and Shinto.
However, during the early Meiji period, based on the government's order to separate Shinto and Buddhism, Buddhist practices were completely abolished and the shrine was renamed Enoshima Shrine. Iwaya Hongu and Hongu Otabisho were renamed Okutsumiya (奥津宮), Kami-no-miya renamed Nakatsumiya (中津宮), and Shimo-no-miya renamed Hetsumiya (辺津宮).
Bronze Torii (青銅の鳥居)
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| Bronze Torii (青銅の鳥居) |
A bronze torii (shrine gate) stands at the entrance of Enoshima. Originally built in 1747, the current one was reconstructed in 1821 through contributions from many donors, whose names are engraved on its pillars. (The sign placed next to the torii explains the original torii was made of wood.) This is the third torii along the path. The first torii was located in front of Shojoko-ji Temple and the second on Subana Street, but this third torii is the only one that remains today. The plaque on the torii, inscribed with "江島大明神" (Enoshima Daimyojin), is a replica of an imperial plaque bestowed by Emperor Go-Uda to commemorate the victory in the Bun'ei Campaign, the first attempt by the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty to invade Japan, in 1274.
Zuishin-mon (瑞心門)
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| Zuishin-mon (瑞心門) |
Zuishin-mon (瑞心門) is a two-story gate standing over the stone steps leading to Hetsumiya. It was modeled after Ryugu-jo, an undersea Dragon Palace from Japanese folklore and fairtales.
Hetsunomiya (辺津宮)
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| Hetsumiya (辺津宮) |
Hetsunomiya enshrines Tagitsuhime-no-Mikoto and was originally founded in 1206 by Minamoto no Sanetomo, the shogun at the time, under the reign of Emperor Tsuchimikado. It was rebuilt in 1675 and underwent a major renovation in 1976. Its old name "Shimo-no-Miya" comes from the fact that it is standing at the lowest position of the three major shrine buildings.
Nakatsumiya (中津宮)
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| Nakatsumiya (中津宮) |
Nakatsunomiya enshrines Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto. Founded in 853 by the Buddhist monk Ennin, it was originally called "Kami-no-miya" under the reign of Emperor Montoku. In 1689, the fifth shogun of the Edo shogunate, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, rebuilt the shrine in the gongen-zukuri architectural style, consisting of the honden (main hall), heiden (offering hall), and haiden (worship hall). The current shrine building was reconstructed in 1996 as part of a major renovation, restoring the vibrant vermilion color that was prominent in the Genroku era.
Okutsumiya (奥津宮)
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| Okutsumiya (奥津宮) |
Okutsumiya (奥津宮) enshrines Tagirihime-no-Mikoto, the eldest of three sister goddesses who protects the sea. Located close to Iwaya Hongu in the cave, it was originally called Hongu Otabisho (a temporary resting place). From April to October, when seawater would flow into Iwaya Hongu, the honzon was temporarily relocated to this Otabisho.
The original shrine building was a magnificent structure but was destroyed by fire in 1841 and reconstructed in 1842 which remains today. The shrine's roof was restored in 1979 and the honden underwent a major renovation in 2011.
