お地蔵さん – Jizo Statues from Buddhism to Shinto and Beyond
Jizo statues, or Jizou Statues are all over Japan! They keep people safe by guiding travelers, and they are placed where people have died. Though they originate from Buddhism, Japan has taken this Bodhisattva to a new level and is a cultural phenomenon in traditional and modern culture.
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The History of Jizo Statues
Jizo is a Bodhisattva which is a type of Buddha or someone on there way to enlightenment. In Japanese the full way to say Jizo Bodhisattva is Jizou Bosatsu (地蔵菩薩) since Bosatsu (菩薩) means bodhisattva.
People in Japan often say o-Jizou-san, (お地蔵さん) When talking about Jizo as it is a polite way of referring to them. This also gives them some life shows a level of affection. Sometimes people call them o-Jizou-sama (お地蔵様) or even Jizo-san (地蔵尊) to be even more polite though.
The name 地蔵 breaks down into the two Kanji characters below:
- 地 – ground, earth, soil
- 蔵 – warehouse, storehouse, place for holding one’s possessions or treasures
地蔵 translates loosely from the original name in Sanskrit, Ksiti-garbha. This name means mother of the earth, or womb of earth depending on how you translate it. But, the Japanese name, 地蔵 translates to earth treasury, treasures or something like that.
If we go back further in history, Ksiti-garbha originates from the earth mother goddess Prithivi in Brahmanic mythology. This deity protected the earth and brings wealth and healing.
Buddhist Origins
Jizou Bosatsu or Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in Sanskrit, is a Buddhist deity with an interesting mission. The original Buddha, Siddharta Gautama or Shakyamuni entrusted Jizou Bosatsu to aid and save people during the period of no Buddha. This is the period from the death of the Buddha and the appearance of Maitreya Bodhisattva.
https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/Jizou Bosatsu appears in all six Buddhist realms of existence to save all life. The 6 realms or Rokudou or Rikudou (六道) in Japanese are below:
- 地獄道 – Hellish Realm (Jigokudou)
- 餓鬼道 – Hungry Ghost Realm (Gakidou)
- 畜生道 – Animal Realm (Chikushoudou)
- 修羅道 – Ashura Realm (Shuradou)
- 人道 – Human Realm (Nindou)
- 天道 – Heavenly Realm (Tendou)
How Jizou Bosatsu became Popular in Japan
The Pure Land faith（浄土信仰) spread in Japan during the Heian period (平安時代) from around the 8th to 12th century. The prevalent belief stemming from this faith says that those who cannot attain rebirth in the Pure Land will inevitably fall into hell.
Obviously that sucks. So that is where Jizo comes in. He traverses the six realms and takes on other’s suffering. So Jizo counters the fate of those destined for hell under the Pure Land doctrine. This is why Jizo Bosatsu became like a savior who saves people from suffering.
From this belief, eventually, Jizou Bosatsu became associated with protecting children who may have died before their parents and be vulnerable to punishment and suffering. But more about that later.
Jizou-san in Modern Popular Culture
Today in Japan, Jizo statues or Jizou-san are everywhere! His popularity in Japan has led to the creation of numerous stone statues of him along roadsides, often associated with local folklore and customs. These statues protect against injury and illness. They are everywhere from the woods, at shrines, temples, along paths, everywhere! You can even purchase them as interior like lawn nomes, or even little Jizo toys or trinkets.
Jizo-san in Popular Media like Games and Anime
Also, if you have watched Anime, played games, seen Japanese drama and so on, likely you would have come across these statues there too. They are an integrated part of the Japanese aesthetic like a part of nature almost in Japan. So, there are a countless number or popular references which would be too much to name here.
One I will mention though is in the Super Mario Bros. 3 game for the original Nintendo, Tanuki Mario is able to turn into a Jizo statue. When he does that, the enemies just walk by him. That is a reference to how much of the background and how common these statues are. It is saying that when the Koopa or Goomba walk by, they are just thinking, oh it is only a Jizo statue. Kind of like walking past a tree or a rock.
Jizo Statues in Japanese Folklore
There are several Japanese Folklore stories where Jizo-san shows up, but here are just three.
笠地蔵 – Kasa Jizou: The Straw Hat Jizo
Kasa Jizou (笠地蔵) is a Japanese folktale about a poor elderly couple who cover a roadside Jizo statue with a straw hat. The straw hat is a special traditional Japanese hat known as a kasa (笠).
Basically, for there kindness, the couple receive an unexpected fortune. This is a common reoccurring storyline in Japanese folklore which emphasize that good deeds get rewarded.
The story goes like this, in a snowy region, a elderly couple lives who are so poor they can’t even buy mochi for the New Year. The old may tries selling some handmade straw hats, or kasa, but does not sell much. Since he has 6 left over, he gives them, or puts them on six cold stone Jizo statues. He even gave his own hat to the last statue. Later that night, a heavy heap of food, gold coins, and treasures is found outside their home. The could then thank the Jizo statues, believing it was the the six of them which left the gift for them. Because of the gift the elderly couple were able to have a nice new year.
みちびき地蔵 – Michibiki Jizou: The Guiding Jizo
Michibiki Jizou (みちびき地蔵) means, the guiding Jizo. The story is named that since this Jizo is thought to guide souls to ascend to heaven. Basically there is a child, Hamachi and his mother which pass by a Jizo statue called Michibiki Jizo on their way home. The mother and son saw many villagers and even animals in spirit form coming to greet the Jizo and ascend to heaven.
Believing this was showing the people who were to die the next day, the mother hurried home. However her husband dismissed her story. The next day, a tsunami hit the village and killed 61 people and 6 animals. Hamakichi and his parents though survived by fleeing to a hill. The mother realized that what she had seen the day before was real. So, flowers and incense are still offered to the Michibiki Jizo.
猿地蔵 – Saru Jizou: The Monkey Jizo
This is a Japanese folktale about an old couple who live in the mountains. After mischievous monkeys steal his lunch, an old man’s wife tells him to dress as a Jizo statue and they will leave him alone.
When the old man does so, the monkeys carry him to a nearby temple, where they believe he would be happy. On the way there however, the monkeys cry out that it is ok if their butt gets wet but don’t let Jizo’s but get wet. This is amusing to the old man but he holds back laughing to avoid breaking his disguise. At the temple, out of respect the monkeys find a box to put him on. This box however happened to have money in it which the man take home and buys a Kimono for his wife.
The couples jealous neighbors tries to repeat this trick with the monkeys. However, this old man is unable to hold back laughing when the monkeys repeat the same thing about getting their butt wet. So, they drop him in the river realizing he is not a statue. Meanwhile, the old woman, thinking her husband has purchased her a new kimono, burns her old clothes. When the old man returns, he is all wet and his old wife is left naked, with no clothes.
Types of Jizo Statues in Japan and Shinto Syncretism
In general, Jizou Bosatsu is depicted as a shaved-headed monk wearing a robe. Sometimes he will have a vertical halo behind him, and have a necklace other times. He also holds a wish-granting jewel in his left hand and a staff in his right hand or may be making a mudra of wish granting.
However, in esoteric Buddhism, Jizou Bosatsu is depicted in a traditional bodhisattva form, with his hair tied up and wearing jewelry, holding a sun disc in his right hand and a lotus with a banner on his left side.
六地蔵 – Rokujizou: The Six Jizo
As mentioned earlier, there are six realms which Jizou Bosatsu can travel through. Sometimes you will see this represented with six Jizou Bosatsu placed together in various locations. These Jizo are called called the Rokujizou (六地蔵) or Rokutai-Jizou which literally means six Jizo.
These Jizo statues can be found at the entrance of graveyards and other locations like temples.
Where you can find Rokujizou
At the Chūson-ji Konjikidō temple, 6 Jizo statues are placed in each of the three altars that house the remains of the Fujiwara clan members.
道祖神 – Dousojin: Traveler Guide Kami
Dousojin (道祖神) are local gods or kami that protect specific villages and travelers from epidemics and evil spirits. In English they can be translated to something like traveler guide gods. they are represented as mostly stone statues in places like village borders and mountain passes. These kami originate in Shinto at least back to the 8th century, but probably longer but the origin is unknown.
Japan has two main religions, Shito and Buddhism. Though it was not always that way during every period of Japanese history, these two religions are not hostile to each other. They have complemented each other in various religious aspects, shared beliefs between each other, and integrated together. At this point it is more accurate to say Japan has Japanese religion instead of saying Japan has two separate religions.
This process is known as syncretism or 神仏習合 in Japanese. That brings us to Jizou Bosatsu. Though he was originally a Buddhist Bodhisattva, in Japan he has also become a Dousojin. I think it is safe to say in fact he is the most famous Dousojin in Japan. That is the main reason that you see these statues everywhere.
Especially when someone dies from an accident, or other reasons a statue will be put in that spot. That is for a few reasons. It gives people a sign to be careful and to show respects to those that passed away.
地蔵盆 – Jizou-Bon
Jizou-bon (地蔵盆) is an annual festival for Jizou Bosatsu. Technically it falls on the 24th of every month, but it specifically refers to the festival held on the 24th of July. This is to correspond with the Bon Festival in July. However depending on if you are going by the lunar calendar or Gregorian calendar, the date is on August 15th in other places.
The Jizou-bon festival celebrates specifically the statues you see along roadsides, in the mountains, or the Dousojin. This would be instead of the statues at temples.
Jizou-bon is a three-day event that centers around July 23rd in or the eve of the Jizo Bosatsu festival day. It is widely celebrated in the Kansai region, especially in Kyoto. During the festival, people gather to wash and decorate Jizo statues, offer food, light lanterns, and perform rituals for the deceased. The festival has become a children’s event with various activities such as folk dances, parades, and food stands.
水子 – Mizuko: Water Children
Mizuko Jizou are the statues associated with children. The origin of these are a big complex, involve more syncretism with Shinto, and needs a bit of explanation.
First, Mizuko (水子) refers to a baby who has died shortly after birth, a miscarriages, or abortions. The term Mizuko is believed to have originated from the Japanese mythological god Hiruko (水蛭子) . Hiruko was said to have been washed away to the sea shortly after birth, being born with no bones. He has become associated with the famous god, Ebisu who is now one of the 7 Shichifukujin (七福神) or the seven gods of fortune.
Jizo and Mizuko
Bodhisattvas are highly regarded and the second highest level of Buddhas. In Jizo Bosatsu’s situation instead of continuing to the highest level, Nyorai (如来) Jizo abandoned his high position to travel the six realms on foot, saving the spirits of deceased children and unsaved sentient beings.
This includes children like the Mizuko. When children die before their parents, they are unable to cross the Sanzu River (三途の川 ) or river of three crossings. This is said to be the river in Japanese Buddhism that souls must cross after death which separates the this world from the next. Since these Mizuko can not cross, they are doomed to make stone pagodas in the Sai Riverbank (賽の河原) forever. Here, the children try stacking stones to build a tower to escape, but the Oni (鬼) or Japanese demons, always come to break down the towers so they can never escape.
Since Jizou Bosatsu is out to save all life, especially those who are most vulnerable, he visits the Sai Riverbank to protect children from the oni and their bullying. There he comforts and guide them to the path of enlightenment so they maybe saved.
The practice of Mizuko Kuyou (水子供養) which are memorial services for the Mizuko. Mizuko Jizo statues are then erected for the Mizuko and are given the iconic read hats and bibs as a representation of the children.
Locations to Visit
One famous temples you can see Mizuko Jizo, or where Mizuko Kuyou is performed is the Ekoin Temple in Sumida City, Tokyo.
水掛地蔵 – Mizukake Jizou: Water-Pouring Jizo
Finally we have Mizukake-Jizou (水掛地蔵) or Water-pouring Jizo. This comes from the belief that when water is poured onto a statue, it flows into the mouths of the suffering ghosts underground, providing them temporary relief. it became widely believed that there is an entrance to the realm of hungry ghosts or Gaki (餓鬼) at the feet of Jizou Bosatsu. This belief shows the compassion of Jizou Bosatsu towards all beings. This includes all beings in the six realms of existence, including Gaki. The practice of offering food and reciting Buddhist scriptures to the hungry ghosts is called segaki (施餓鬼).
Locations to Visit
You can actually find Jizo not only at Buddhist temples, but at some Shinto Shrines! Since Japanese Religion has integrated these Buddhism and Shinto you will often see crossovers like this. One such place is Jishu Shrine (地主神社) in Kyoto.
Japanese Religion
Jizou Bosatsu appears in all six realms of existence to save all life. In Japan, his popularity rose during the Heian period as for his kindness and appeal to the average person as a savior. Today, he is popular still whether with the protection of children, towns, travelers or in popular media like games and anime. Today, these statues are ubiquitous in Japan and are a unique and important part of Japanese Religion. It is however not the only aspect of religion in Japan.
宗教 – Major Religions in Japan and Religious Beliefs
As stated earlier, Jizo-san originated in Buddhism but has transformed from Japanese Shinto and through Folk beliefs into something much more. This integration between these beliefs are the bedrock of Japanese culture. So, the next time you are in Japan and see Jizo-san, remember the long history and deep culture associated with him.
Resources
- 地蔵菩薩 (Wikipedia)
- 水子(Wikipedia)
- 回向院 (Official Site)
- 長谷寺(Official Site)
- 道祖神 (Wikipedia)
- 地主神社 (Official Site)
- 金蔵寺 (Official Site)
- 導き地蔵 (Wikipedia)
- 猿地蔵 (Hukumusume)
- 地蔵 (Weblio)
- 地蔵菩薩 (Kotobank)
- 水子供養 (Kotobank)
- 際の河原 (Kotobank)
- 施餓鬼 (Kotobank)
- スーパーマリオアドバンス４ (Nintendo)
