Roadside Jizo Bodhisattva

As you are reading this, I am probably in Kyoto, so this post is a bit late, but a while ago, I spent some time talking about Jizō Bodhisattva, who’s a popular Buddhist figure in Japan as well as East Asian Buddhism. As I was walking close to my wife’s house today, I stumbled upon this roadside altar:

This is a very iconic example of Jizo Bodhisattva with the red scarf, the shakujō ringed-staff to protect followers and to ring the Dharma, and in the other hand the wish-fulfilling jewel, which symbolizes Jizo’s efforts to provide for all beings. Note the offerings of water, a common offering in Buddhist altars, and flowers.

Next to the statue was this sign:

The sign explains at the statue, called jizōson (地蔵尊) or “Honored/Lord Jizo” is one of many stone Buddhist statues in the Nakahara area of Kawasaki City, and can often be seen along intersections, and this particular Jizo statue was relied upon for the year-end market and home-town festivities that existed in the past.

So much history in a simple statue, and it’s kind of encouraging to see that someone is still taking good care of it.

On kaka kabi sanmaei sowaka
Namu Amida Butsu