Jizō Bosatsu

Jizō (地蔵) vowed to remain among suffering beings in the long age between the passing of Shaka and the coming of Miroku, descending even into the hells to rescue them. In Japan he became the most intimate of protectors: guardian of children, of travellers and of the dead, standing in red bibs at crossroads, cemeteries and mountain passes throughout the country.

Japanese 地蔵菩薩, Jizō Bosatsu; affectionately O-Jizō-sama
Sanskrit Kṣitigarbha
Rank Bodhisattva, dressed as a monk
Recognise by Shaven head; monk's robe; a jewel in the left hand; a ringed staff in the right
Sacred day The 24th of each month; the Jizōbon festival in late August
Memorial rite The 35th day, in the Thirteen Buddhas

A bodhisattva in a monk's robe

Jizō is the great exception among bodhisattvas. Instead of a prince's crown and jewels he wears the plain robe of a monk and has a shaven head, signs of his humility and his presence among ordinary people. He holds a wish-granting jewel, hōju, in the left hand and a pilgrim's staff hung with rings, shakujō, in the right; the rings jingle to warn small creatures of his approach.

Protector of children

Folk belief tells of the riverbank of Sai, Sai no Kawara, where the souls of children who died young pile stones to earn merit, only for demons to scatter them. Jizō shelters the children in his sleeves. Parents dress roadside Jizō in red caps and bibs, and figures for children who were never born, mizuko Jizō, fill the grounds of many temples.

Many Jizō

  • Roku Jizō. Six figures, one for each of the six realms, often standing in a row at cemetery gates.
  • Enmei Jizō. Jizō who lengthens life.
  • Shōgun Jizō. Jizō in armour on horseback, venerated by warriors.
  • Enma and Jizō. Medieval belief made Jizō the compassionate original form of Enma, king of the underworld.

Jizō in Japanese art

Kamakura sculptors carved Jizō with a new realism: a young monk with a smooth head, inlaid crystal eyes and finely detailed robes, often painted and patterned with cut gold. Countless stone Jizō, from rough roadside carvings to refined temple figures, form one of the great folk sculptural traditions of Japan.

Collecting notes

  • Look for the staff and jewel. They are often lost, but the hand positions will show where they were held.
  • Stone Jizō are beloved in gardens. Ask about weight and freight before buying; see our guide to importing heavy pieces.
  • Painted Kamakura-style figures with crystal eyes are the most sought after wooden Jizō.

In the collection

Browse Jizō figures and stone sculpture. Our collector concierge can search Japan for a particular Jizō.

See also

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