“Have you seen the cute-looking Jizo statues before?” Many ask. The Kosodate Jizo is here. It is a guardian deity of children and travelers. Jizo statues are often carved out of stone.
The Kosodate Jizo protects children. It also protects unborn babies and children who have died before their parents. Japanese beliefs say souls of children who died before their parents cannot cross to the afterlife. The Kosodate Jizo protects these children from devils. It hides them in its clothing. The Jizo then watches over them for their parents.
Many Kosodate Jizo statues wear red bibs and hoods. Ancient Japan believed red warded off evil. Some people put red on Jizo to protect it. Others lost a baby. They pray the spirits go to heaven without suffering.
Dōsojin are guardians of travelers. Kosodate Jizo also protects travelers. Dōsojin is an ancient belief. It is a deity protecting travelers. It is often a couple. Dōsojin statues stood on mountain paths. They marked crossroads. They stood at village borders.
There are many kinds of Jizo. Six Jizo help those in the six realms of desire. The realms include hell hunger and animality. They include anger humanity and heaven.
Jizo vowed to assist beings. This promise extends to the hell realm. Jizo statues are found in groupings of six. They are at busy intersections. They are on roads. The statues protect travelers. They aid those in transitional states.
Jizo often carries a staff. It has six rings. He shakes it to waken us from delusions. The rings represent the six states. They embody Jizo’s promise.
The 24th of each month is Jizo’s day. People believe prayers that day bring greater merit. Temples hold Jizo Bon ceremonies on August 24. People confess faults. They pray for longevity. They ask for protection for their children.
A red hat bib and toys often adorn Jizo statues. These are gifts from parents. They rejoice their child recovered. The gifts help deceased children in the afterlife.
Koyasu Jizo grants easy and safe delivery to women. They are often shown holding a child. They may have children at their feet.
Jizo’s name means Womb of the Earth. Jizo became associated with easy delivery. Jizo serves as savior for women and children. Honor the Kosodate Jizo. Remember its promise. It watches over the most vulnerable souls.