An Ojizo-sama statue, dressed in a red bib, near Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, Japan.

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An Ojizo-sama statue, dressed in a red bib, near Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, Japan. Ojizo-sama statues tend to be small and can be usually found along roadsides, around temples, and in cemeteries. These statues are one of the most popular Japanese divinities and are seen as the guardian of children (note their baby-like faces), particularly of children who died before their parents. The practice of dressing the statues with a red bib is said to have begun when grieving parents put their child’s bib on the statue in hopes it would protect the child in the other world. Sometimes they even put toys and cartoon figurines around ojizo-sama, who are also said to be protecting children from illness.

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Size: 4752px × 3168px
Location: Todaiji, Nara Park, 1 Zōshi-chō, Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan,Asia.
Photo credit: © Mieneke Andeweg-van Rijn / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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