Station #6: Fujisawa station was crowded with pilgrims visiting the famous Buddhist temple and the neighboring Shinto shrine. The imposing buildings of Yugyo Temple (established in 1325) stand on a hillside in the background. The torii (archway) leads to the Enoshima Benten Shrine, which is dedicated to the Goddess of Music. Benten was a popular deity with local people and pilgrims. Enoshima was the center of the Cult of Benten, a goddess known to be the guardian of the blind. She is at once a Shinto deity and a bodhisattva, said to be able to perform the miracle of giving the blind the ability to be effective masseurs, musicians and acupuncturists - professions reserved for the blind. Benten is also the goddess of the sea and is romantically referred to as the goddess of love, beauty and eloquence.

Image Copyright: Minneapolis Institute of Art