Memorials dedicated to children who have…

Memorials dedicated to children who have passed away.




At Zojo-ji Temple in Shiba Park, Minato, Tokyo, you can find memorials dedicated to children who have passed away, including stillbirths or miscarried children. These memorials are closely associated with Jizō, the Care Guardian Deity of Children in Japanese Buddhism. Jizō is a bodhisattva known for protecting the souls of children, particularly those who have died before their parents.

At Zojo-ji Temple, rows of stone statues represent these children. Families often dress the statues in colorful hats, bibs, and clothing, and leave small windmills or toys as offerings. These gestures symbolize the parents’ prayers and hopes that Jizō will protect their children in the afterlife and guide them peacefully.

The sight of these statues, especially the windmills gently spinning in the breeze, creates a solemn but touching atmosphere, honoring the grief and remembrance that parents carry for their lost children.