Jizo Bodhisattva, Protector Of Women, Children, And Travelers

Posted by Danielle | May 3, 2010 | Beyond Knitting, Craftivist | 1 |

“In Japan, some women find comfort in Jizo statues which line temples and cemeteries across the country. The statues are believed to be protectors of children and unborn babies in traditional Japanese Buddhist teachings. It is believed that as the babies did not have the chance to build up good karma on earth, Jizo helps smuggle the children into the afterlife in the sleeves of his robe. The statues are often dressed in warm clothes in the hope that they will do the same for their unborn child.” Read more via The Independent.

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.”

Photograph by albany_tim.

About The Author

Danielle

Danielle Holke is a long-time knitter, first taught by her beloved grandmother as a young girl growing up in Canada. In 2008 she launched KnitHacker, a lively blog and knitting community which has since grown to be a popular presence in contemporary knitting culture, reaching more than a million readers each year. As a marketing professional, Danielle advises and works with a motley squad of artists, yarn bombers, film makers, pattern designers, yarn companies and more. Learn more about her latest book, Knits & Pieces: A Knitting Miscellany.

1 Comment

Versailles on May 4, 2010 at 3:48 pm

The statues are of Jizo, the most beloved Buddhist deity in Japan (And with many American Buddhist, too) He is the Bodhisattva (patron saint, in American lingo)and protector of women, babies, children and travelers in the earthly and spiritual realms.

In Japan, it is not unusual to see these little memorial statues dressed with baby hats and bibs.