Kishimojin

Kishimojin (鬼子母神), the Mother of Demon Children, is one of the most moving converts in Buddhist legend. She was a demoness who fed her many children on the children of others, until the Buddha hid her youngest son. Frantic with grief, she came to understand the grief she had caused, and vowed to protect all children. In Japan she is prayed to for safe childbirth, healthy children and harmony in the home.

Japanese 鬼子母神, Kishimojin; also Kariteimo
Sanskrit Hārītī
Rank Deva
Recognise by A gentle lady in Chinese dress holding an infant, with a pomegranate in the other hand
Devotion Especially in the Nichiren schools

Identifying Kishimojin

In her converted form Kishimojin appears as a gracious noblewoman, seated or standing, cradling a baby in her left arm. In her right hand she holds a pomegranate, kisshōka, the fruit of good fortune, whose many seeds stand for fertility. Some temples also keep a fierce form showing her before her conversion.

Kishimojin and Nichiren

The Lotus Sutra tells that Kishimojin and her daughters vowed to protect those who uphold the sutra, and the Nichiren schools made her a principal protector. At Zoshigaya in Tokyo, Kishimojin-dō has drawn mothers for centuries, and some temples write her name with a form of the character for demon that omits its horn, in recognition of her conversion.

Kishimojin in Japanese art

A seated figure of the Kamakura period at Onjōji, Mii-dera, on Lake Biwa is among the best known. Painted images show her surrounded by children, a tender subject that appealed to Edo period households.

Collecting notes

  • Small figures and Edo period paintings of Kishimojin occasionally appear, often connected with Nichiren temples.
  • Check the infant and the pomegranate, both carved separately on many figures.

In the collection

Browse Nichiren Buddhist art and guardian deities. Our collector concierge can search Japan for a Kishimojin image.

See also

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