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Jizo Bosatsu — Six Jizo, Togenuki Jizo, and Mizuko Jizo Traditions
Jizo Bosatsu is a bodhisattva who protects all beings during the era between Shakyamuni's passing and Maitreya's arrival. Venerated across Japan in roadside stone figures and major temple halls, this guide explains the Six Jizo, Togenuki Jizo, Mizuko Jizo, and key pilgrimage sites.
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Author
Hijiri
| Shrines & Temples
Contents
MOKUJI
一
What Is Jizo Bosatsu — Role and Origins in Buddhism
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二
The Six Jizo — Protecting All Six Realms
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三
Togenuki Jizo — Healing Jizo at Sugamo
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四
Mizuko Jizo and Kosodate Jizo — Parental Prayers
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五
Recommended Jizo Pilgrimage Sites
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六
Jizo-bon Festival and Etiquette
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七
Frequently Asked Questions
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Jizo Bosatsu is one of Japan’s most beloved Buddhist figures, venerated from small roadside stone statues to the main images of great temples. Draped in red bibs, Jizo have guarded travelers, protected children, and guided the souls of the deceased for over a thousand years.
Standing Jizo Bodhisattva, Kamakura period, Japan (gold-leaf wood sculpture). The classic form of Jizo: monk-robed, holding a ringed staff (shakujo) and a wish-granting jewel (hoju). Freer and Sackler Galleries, Washington D.C.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / photo by PericlesofAthens
What Is Jizo Bosatsu — Role and Origins in Buddhism
Jizo Bosatsu, known in Sanskrit as Ksitigarbha (“womb of the earth”), is the bodhisattva who watches over all sentient beings during the long era between Shakyamuni’s passing and the coming of Maitreya Bodhisattva. That interval is said to last 5.67 billion years — during which Jizo pledges to visit every realm and save every soul.
Why is Jizo associated with travelers, children, and the dead?
Jizo is said to descend into all six realms of existence (rokudo) — hell, hungry ghosts, animals, fighting spirits, humans, and heavens — making him the universal protector of all forms of life and death:
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Traveler protection: Since the Heian period, Jizo statues have been placed at crossroads along highways to protect travelers
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Children’s protection: A widespread belief held that the souls of children who died young suffered at the banks of the Sanzu River, and that Jizo would rescue them
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Guidance of the deceased: Jizo is said to cooperate with Enma, the lord of the underworld, to save souls from damnation
Why do Jizo statues wear red bibs?
Red has long been used in Japan as a color to ward off evil. It is also believed that parents of deceased children began offering their children’s clothing and bibs to Jizo statues, a practice that became widespread tradition.
Roku Jizo (Six Jizo) at Joryu-ji temple in Fujisawa, Kanagawa. One figure for each of the six realms of existence; sets like this were traditionally placed at the gates of towns to protect travelers.
Wikimedia Commons / CC0 1.0 / photo by Yoshi Canopus
The Six Jizo — Protecting All Six Realms
The Six Jizo (Roku Jizo) represent Jizo Bosatsu appearing in six different forms, each protecting one of the six realms of existence. They are frequently displayed as a group of six figures at temple gates and roadside shrines.
Realm
Jizo Name
Attributes
Hell
Danda Jizo
Staff and jewel
Hungry ghosts
Hoju Jizo
Wish-granting jewel
Animals
Hoin Jizo
Seal of the dharma
Fighting spirits
Jichi Jizo
Joined hands
Human realm
Jokaisho Jizo
Staff and jewel
Heaven
Nikko Jizo
Joined hands, jewel
The custom of placing Six Jizo at city gates in Kyoto and Nara dates to the Heian period. Near Sensoji in Asakusa, one of Edo’s Six Jizo has survived, carrying the memory of Edo-period faith.
Mizuko Jizo statues at Taiyuji temple, Osaka. Small child figures cling to the Jizo's robes — a poignant image of the souls of children lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion seeking protection.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / photo by KENPEI
Togenuki Jizo — Healing Jizo at Sugamo
What healing powers does Togenuki Jizo offer?
Koganji Temple (Togenuki Jizo) in Sugamo, Tokyo, is nationally famous as the “thorn-removing Jizo” who relieves physical pain and illness. The formal name is Enmei Jizo (life-prolonging Jizo). Legend holds that an Edo-period woman who had accidentally swallowed a needle was healed after dreaming of Jizo’s guidance.
The “Washing Kannon” (Arai Kannon) — a paper image soaked in water and applied to the painful part of one’s body — is believed to draw out illness. On the festival days of the 4th, 14th, and 24th of each month, the Sugamo Jizo-dori shopping street fills with visitors, earning the neighborhood the nickname “Grandma’s Harajuku.”
Bancho-zan Kogan-ji temple in Sugamo, Tokyo — home of the famous Togenuki Jizo ('Thorn-Removing Jizo'). On the monthly fair days (4th, 14th, and 24th), the approach street fills with worshippers of all ages. The temple anchors the Sugamo Jizo-dori shopping street, dubbed "Grandma's Harajuku."
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / photo by KENPEI
Mizuko Jizo and Kosodate Jizo — Parental Prayers
Why did Mizuko Jizo arise?
Mizuko refers to souls of children lost through miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion. Mizuko Jizo statues placed at temples provide comfort and memorialization for these lost souls. The number of Mizuko Jizo at temples across Japan surged in the 1970s–80s. Mibudera Temple in Kyoto’s Nakagyo ward has rows of Mizuko Jizo and is known as a quiet memorial site.
What is Kosodate Jizo?
Kosodate Jizo (“child-rearing Jizo”) protects children’s health and safe growth. Families traditionally make a “thanksgiving visit” to Kosodate Jizo after a child is born safely.
Recommended Jizo Pilgrimage Sites
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Togenuki Jizo (Koganji) (Sugamo, Tokyo): Tokyo’s preeminent healing Jizo for illness recovery and longevity
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Sensoji (Taito, Tokyo): Houses multiple Jizo including the Six Jizo; a repository of Edo-period popular faith
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Sugamo Jizo-dori (Toshima, Tokyo): Jizo statue at the heart of the famous shopping street
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Mibudera Temple (Kyoto): Rows of Mizuko Jizo; quiet memorial grounds
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Henro 2nd Temple, Gokurakuji (Naruto, Tokushima): Shikoku pilgrimage temple with Jizo Bosatsu as principal image
Stone Jizo figures in Sugamo draped in bright red bibs (yodarekake). Red symbolizes both warding off evil and the protection of children — the most recognizable visual symbol of Jizo devotion. Worshippers bring the bibs themselves and dress each figure.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / photo by Stephen Kelly
Jizo-bon Festival and Etiquette
What is Jizo-bon?
Jizo-bon is a neighborhood festival held around August 23–24, primarily in the Kansai region, where children gather before their local Jizo to offer incense, perform the “juzu-mawashi” (prayer bead passing ritual), and receive sweets. It is one of the few remaining traditional community gatherings centered on children.
Region
Jizo-bon Character
Kyoto
Most elaborate; each neighborhood decorates with paper lanterns
Osaka
Widely observed; festive atmosphere centered on children
Tokyo/Kanto
Jizo-bon is rare; Obon ancestor rites are central instead
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Jizo Bosatsu and Kannon Bosatsu?
Kannon Bosatsu relieves the suffering of the living and takes 33 different forms to answer prayers. Jizo Bosatsu is the guardian of the era without a Buddha, specializing in descending into hell and the afterlife to save souls. Most temples maintain separate halls for each.
Can I place a red bib on a Jizo statue?
Customs vary by temple and statue. If the temple sells offering bibs at its reception desk, you may offer them. Do not change or add items to statues without the temple’s approval.
When are the Togenuki Jizo festival days?
The festival (ennichi) falls on the 4th, 14th, and 24th of each month, when Koganji and the surrounding Sugamo Jizo-dori become especially busy. Year-round access is available; festival days start crowding from early morning, so an early arrival is recommended.
Can anyone request a Mizuko memorial service?
No special qualifications are required. Many temples offer prayer services and memorial rites for mizuko, and it is common practice to offer flowers and toys at Mizuko Jizo statues.
What is the proper etiquette when visiting a roadside Jizo?
No special formalities are required — simply joining your hands in prayer is sufficient. You may offer water or flowers if space is available. If offering food, bring only a small amount that can be removed the following day.
Last updated: April 25, 2026
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Author
Hijiri（ひじり）
Shrines & Temples
Toku editorial team — shrines and temples. Former designer who reads temple architecture and gardens through an aesthetic lens, quietly tracing the lineages of sects and doctrines.
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