Overige

The Jizo Bodhisattva, “O-Jizo-san” in the Japanese honorific language, is a deity fondly loved by Japanese people. You will find Jizo statues in many places: in Buddhist temples, graveyards, at the side of the road in the countryside, and, less commonly, at the corner of some streets in the cities.

The primary role of Jizo is to protect children. This explains why, in Studio Ghibli’s animation movie “My Neighbor Totoro,” when little Mei gets lost, she finds refuge next to Jizo statues. 

The other central role of Jizo is to protect travelers, which is why you will often find Jizo statues on the side of the roads like in the picture above. This tradition is derived from the ancient belief of Dosojin. Dosojin is a deity who protects travelers. The deity statue was placed on mountain pathways, crossroads, and at the borders of villages. The sculptures were generally in the shape of a couple. With time, Jizo has taken their role.

Jizo also protects the souls of children who passed away and unborn babies and Jizo protects firefighters and saves the souls of those suffering in the afterlife.