Jizo

     This is a picture taken during sun set at Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto. This excursion to Kyoto was my first of many exploratory trips around Japan. The trip was planned as a way to give new International Students an orientation to the transportation system as well as do some sight seeing. Small groups of international students were paired up with a few Japanese students who then traveled together to Kyoto.
     This being my first trip taken in Japan, it is also my most memorable. During this trip I saw many things which I had never seen before, yet one of them left me incredibly intrigued. That is: jizo statues.

     When I first saw these statues I didn't know what they were, but I had thought they were cute. I asked our Japanese friends what they were and I was told they were jizo statues. When I returned from this outing, I did some research on what jizo statues are and what they mean.
    My research first let me to Ksitigarbah. Ksitigarbha is a bodhisattva commonly found in East Asian Buddhism. Ksitigarbha made a promise to watch over and guide all beings. In addition he vowed to not reach enlightenment until the hells were free of all souls.
     Depending on the country, this bodhisattva takes on different appearances and slightly differed meanings. In Japan it is know as Jizo. Jizo can be seen all over, but appear most commonly in graveyards or on the side of roads. He is, being the guardian of children, one of the most highly revered deities in Japan. As the guardian of children, he has taken upon the task of guarding those children that have tragically died before their parents. Along with that, he also takes care of stillborn and miscarried babies. Japanese myths state that children whose death precedes their parents can not cross into the afterlife as they have not been able to thus yet prove themselves as a worthy soul. Jizo takes the souls of these children and hides them close to him, within his robe, to protect them from having to eternally repent.
     More often than not, jizo statues are seen wearing bibs or children's clothing. The statues are adorned by parents who have unfortunately lost their child. Not only does it help the grieving process, but it is done in hopes that their loved ones will be protected by Jizo.
     After doing research, this statues are not so cute anymore. Things are not always what they seem.