Enoshima

江島 Enoshima Island

1 Source and/or Related Material

Story of Enoshima island Shrine origins

2 Author

Kanze Nagatoshi

3 Repertoire

Kanze

4 Synopsis

An envoy of Emperor Kinmei and his attendant (waki, wakitsure) are sent to Sagami Province to investigate the sudden emergence of the new island of Enoshima from the ocean and the auspicious appearance of the Goddess Benzaiten above it. On the island they meet an old fisherman (maeshite) and a young man (maetsure) who tell about the creation of the place. The old man further relates how the Goddess Benzaiten once changed the evil intention of the God Tatsu no Kuchi, a five-headed dragon, how they married and thereupon protected the realm together. Having indicated that he in fact is the God Tatsu no Kuchi, the old man disappears. The spirit of a cormorant (alternatively a Daoist immortal—ai) enters, repeats the story of the island’s formation, and does a festive dance. Finally the Goddess Benzaiten (nochitsure) emerges from a shrine accompanied by two young attendants (kokata). Benzaiten dances and gives a jewel to the imperial envoy. From a whirlpool the five-headed Dragon King (nochishite) appears, swears to protect the realm, and rises to heaven.