Jizō statues

Clusters of Jizō at Daisho-in Temple, Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture

On any ancient pilgrimage walk in Japan, you can be sure of one constant companion along your way: the bodhishattva Jizō.

Jizō is represented as a small childlike stone statue wearing a red bib to ward off evil. Jizō is the guardian of travellers, a source of great comfort for those making their way along the perilous old Japanese trails.

But Jizō has other roles too. You can find Jizō statues in graveyards where the god is the guardian of stillborn children and those who predeceased their parents. Often you will see a pile of stones beside the statue, erected by loved ones in the hope of shortening their children’s time in limbo.