Jizo

Jizo is a popular form of bodhisattva in Japan. In Buddhism, bodhisattvas are beings who are trying to gain enlightenment. However, in some forms of Buddhism they take on an extra duty and promise to delay their journey into nirvana until all beings are ready to enter.

Jizo has made this vow and tries to lessen the suffering experienced by souls in Buddhist hell. He is the guardian of "unborn, aborted, miscarried, and stillborn babies", and also takes time out to assist firemen, travellers, children and pregnant women. He's a busy buddha.

These Jizo are from Zojoji, a temple, and are Mizuko Jizo. Mizuko literally means water baby, and refers to unborn children who float about in the womb. Jizo often are dressed in children's clothes, like bibs and caps, and may also be accompanied by toys, such as these pinwheels. Another tradition is to build small piles of stones on or near the statues. These piles are equivalent to stupa, which buddhists build to gain merit. A pagoda is a type of stupa, for example.