Praying for the soul of a boy in hell (Photo: Larry Knipfing)

Nasu Yumoto's 1000 Jizo Statues

Like other jizo statues: sadness and beauty combined

Larry Knipfing   - 1 min read

Nasu Yumoto is known for strong, health-giving, sulphur hot springs. The smell permeates the air and clings to your clothes. In the same area, you can also find a scary mythological rock, and an elegant local shrine. Add to that this field of 1000 Jizo, a collection of statues spread out across a field. There is a story, of course: Of a very bad boy who while visiting the area with some friends, is suddenly caught in a flow of lava. He dies, and because of his evil lifestyle, is destined for hell. Afterwards, jizo are brought to the field where he died to give comfort to him in the afterlife.

Larry Knipfing

Larry Knipfing @larry.knipfing

Born on Long Island, New York in 1958, I have spent the last 30 years of my life living in Japan, and enjoying every minute of it! I especially love photography, and Japan is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world to photograph! My other love is fiction writing and I have pub...