Shiga

Windmill Ojizos at Kongorinji

Thousands of little statues with plastic windmills

Cathy Cawood Oct 20, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Yellow maple leaves spread over the statues like a golden blessing</p>

<p>Ojizo is a Buddhist saint who helps children, travelers and firemen</p>

<p>Tiny Ojizo statues line both sides of the path</p>

<p>A stone pagoda overlooks a clearing full of Ojizo</p>

<p>Stone lanterns also stand beside the path</p>

<p>There must be thousands of the tiny statues!</p>

<p>Steps to the main hall of the temple see the end of the path - and the Ojizo statues</p>

<p>Moss grows on the tree trunks and tangled roots crowd close to the statues</p>

<p>The roughly paved path leads up the mountainside</p>

<p>Sometimes there are glimpses of buildings through the trees</p>

<p>Every statue has a frilly apron and a brightly colored plastic windmill</p>

<p>I can't quite decide whether it's cute or creepy</p>

<p>Rows of Ojizo also stand among the trees</p>

<p>It's a sight I will never forget!</p>

Jizo is the Buddhist saint who is believed to protect children, travelers and firemen. I was told that each of these o-jizo statues represents a "water child" - a baby that was either still-born, miscarried or aborted. The grieving parents purchase little statues of Jizo-san from temples, to protect and care for their lost little ones in the afterworld. The statues at Kongorin-ji all bear colorful plastic windmills, and on August 9th a candle is lit at the feet of each statue.

More info

Find out more about Kongorin-ji Temple.

Cathy Cawood @cathy.cawood

I came to Japan in 2003 to teach English. I lived in Shiga prefecture for 1 year, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I lived in Kyoto for 9 years, then moved to Machida, Tokyo in 2014 after meeting my Japanese partner. I love to take photos, and my Japan in Pictures Facebook page ha...