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Jizo - Japan's Favorite Divinity
 If you take a stroll along nearly any road in Japan you are likely to
periodically spot small
stone statues set along the roadside, especially at highway intersections and at
the boundaries of small towns and villages. These statues frequently
represent the Buddhist divinity Jizo who is the patron god of travelers
and pilgrims as well as expectant mothers, children, and even firemen.
Jizo is a bodhisattva or one who has achieved enlightenment yet has
remained behind to help others along the spiritual path. Jizo has a
particular interest in children who may be trapped in hell, and the divinity is
thought to often intervene on the their behalf and even hide little ones in the
sleeves of his robe when roving demons are on the prowl.
 Jizo has
long been a very popular figure in Japanese Buddhism where he is described as "a
friend to all" and "never frightening, even to children". Though of Indian
origin and originally female, Jizo did first appear in Japan during the
Nara period (710-94) where her popularity quickly grew and she was soon
regarded as the deity of the common people. For various reasons Jizo
did eventually transform into a male figure in Japan. However, the
divinity's feminine roots are still evident in the translation of his name which
can mean either "womb of the earth" or "earth treasure". In fact, Jizo
is still sometimes found in Japan in female form especially as the Koyasu
(child-giving) Jizo. Roadside images of Jizo are often found
alone or in groupings of six. The number six being representative of the
six realms of reincarnation which encompass all beings trapped within the wheel
of life. We can imagine then that to travelers of old Japan the sight of a
roadside Jizo must have been a comforting reminder of the deity's promise
to look after and protect any and all on the road to enlightenment.
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The Old Tokaido |
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