In recent years, there has been a growing interest among overseas visitors in obtaining Jizo statues. Jizo statues, commonly seen in temples and along the roadside in Japan, represent a unique aspect of Japanese culture. What significance lies behind these Jizo statues? This time, we have compiled basic information about Jizo statues.
What is Jizo?
Jizo, formally known as Jizo Bodhisattva, is one of the Bodhisattvas in Buddhism. The Jizo-sama, born in ancient India, is referred to in Sanskrit as “Kshiti Garbha,” which translates to “Womb of the Earth.” Much like the nurturing earth, Jizo is believed to protect and rescue people from suffering with a heart full of great compassion.
What does Jizo look like?
In Japan, Jizo is often depicted in the form of a shaven-headed monk wearing robes. Due to the association with protecting children, Jizo may also have a youthful appearance and a friendly, smiling expression.
Where can you find Jizo?
Jizo statues can be found in various places, particularly along roadsides. In Kyoto, Jizo faith is strong, and there are instances where Jizo statues are enshrined to protect specific neighborhoods. Additionally, Jizo belief has merged with local deities, known as Dosojin, creating a syncretic practice called “Shinbutsu-shugo.” Roadside Jizo statues, in this context, are revered as Dosojin, protecting the area from malevolent forces.
What benefits does Jizo offer?
Jizo-sama is said to bring 28 virtues and 7 benefits. Well-known benefits include rescuing people from suffering and protecting children. Jizo is especially recognized as a guardian deity for children. In ancient Japan, the premature death of a child was considered unfilial, and children had to accumulate merits by enduring mistreatment by demons at the riverbank to cross the Sanzu River and achieve Buddhahood.
Jizo Bodhisattva would actively visit the riverbank, protecting children from demons, guiding them to accumulate merits, and facilitating their path to Buddhahood. From this narrative, Jizo-sama is seen as the guardian and savior of vulnerable children in this world.
How was it? Jizo-sama, with a profound compassion akin to the earth, has been cherished in Japan as a guardian deity watching over and rescuing people. The prevalence of Jizo statues throughout Japan can be attributed to the widespread popularity of Jizo faith among commoners during the Heian period. We will delve into this in another column.
At ISHIMO, we offer a variety of Jizo statues and stone Buddhas hand-carved by craftsmen in stone-producing regions across Japan. Located near Nijo Castle in Kyoto, ISHIMO is easily accessible, making it a must-visit during your sightseeing. We also provide international shipping.
Moreover, our online shop, ISHIMO, allows you to purchase Japanese stone carvings from overseas. Please take a look.
Katika miaka ya karibuni, kumekuwa na upendezi unaozidi kuongezeka miongoni mwa wageni wa ng'ambo katika kupata sanamu za Jizo. Sanamu za Jizo, ambazo kwa kawaida huonekana katika mahekalu na kando ya barabara nchini Japani, huwakilisha sehemu ya kipekee ya utamaduni wa Japani. Ni nini maana ya sanamu hizo za Jizo? Wakati huu, tumekusanya habari za msingi kuhusu sanamu za Jizo. Jizo ni nini? Jizo, anayejulikana rasmi kama Jizo Bodhisattva, ni mmoja wa Bodhisattvas katika Ubudha. "Jizoo-sama, aliyezaliwa India ya kale, anatajwa katika Kisanskrit kama ""Ksheti Garbha,"" ambayo hutafsiriwa kama ""Mimba ya Dunia,"" kama vile dunia ya kulisha, Jizoo ni kuamini kulinda na kuokoa watu kutoka kuteseka na moyo kamili ya huruma kubwa." Jizo anaonekanaje? Huko Japani, mara nyingi Jizo huonyeshwa akiwa mtawa mwenye kichwa kilichokatwa na amevaa mavazi. Kwa sababu ya uhusiano wake na kulinda watoto, Jizo aweza pia kuwa na sura ya ujana na usemi wa kirafiki na wenye tabasamu. Unaweza kumkuta wapi Jizo? Sanamu za Jizo zaweza kupatikana katika sehemu mbalimbali, hasa kando ya barabara. Katika Kyoto, imani ya Jizo ni yenye nguvu, na kuna visa ambapo sanamu za Jizo huwekwa ili kulinda vitongoji hususa. "Jizō ni jina la kienyeji la mungu wa eneo hilo, na kwa hivyo, ni jina la ""Shinbatsu-shugo"" (mfano wa sanamu za Jizō kwenye barabara) na ""Dosho-jin.""" Jizo inatoa faida gani? Jizo-sama ni sifa ya kipekee ya kipekee ambayo inatoa sifa 28 za ubora na faida 7. Faida zinazojulikana sana zinatia ndani kuwaokoa watu kutoka katika mateso na kuwalinda watoto. Jizo anatambuliwa hasa kuwa mungu mlinzi wa watoto. Katika Japani ya kale, kifo cha mapema cha mtoto kilionwa kuwa cha kutokuwa na mtoto, na watoto walipaswa kukusanya sifa kwa kuvumilia mateso ya mashetani kwenye ukingo wa mto ili kuvuka Mto Sanzu na kufikia Buddha. Jizo Bodhisattva alitembelea ukingo wa mto, akilinda watoto kutoka kwa mashetani, akiwaongoza kukusanya sifa, na kuwezesha njia yao ya kuwa Buddha. Kutoka hadithi hii, Jizo-sama anaonekana kama mlinzi na mwokozi wa watoto walio hatarini katika ulimwengu huu. Ilikuwaje? Jizo-sama, mwenye huruma ya kina inayofanana na ya dunia, ameheshimiwa nchini Japani kama mungu mlinzi anayewatunza na kuwaokoa watu. Kuenea kwa sanamu za Jizo kotekote Japani kunaweza kuhusishwa na umaarufu mkubwa wa imani ya Jizo miongoni mwa watu wa kawaida wakati wa kipindi cha Heian. Tutazungumzia jambo hilo katika makala nyingine. Katika ISHIMO, tunatoa aina mbalimbali za sanamu za Jizo na Buddha za mawe zilizochongwa kwa mkono na mafundi katika mikoa inayozalisha mawe kote Japani. Iko karibu na Ngome ya Nijo huko Kyoto, ISHIMO inapatikana kwa urahisi, ikifanya iwe lazima utembee wakati wa kutembelea. Pia tunatoa usafirishaji wa kimataifa. Kwa kuongezea, duka letu la mtandaoni, ISHIMO, linakuruhusu kununua michongo ya mawe ya Kijapani kutoka nje ya nchi. Tafadhali angalia.