Small ornament with thank you message, ARIGATÔ KOBÔSAN, Jizo

Small ornament with thank you message, ARIGATÔ KOBÔSAN, Jizo

The Jizō, one of the eight great bodhisattvas.
Jizô bosatsu is a boddhisatva, that is to say that he has reached enlightenment but has chosen to remain among humans to accompany them towards their own salvation. More specifically, he vowed not to become a Buddha until hell was emptied, that is to say, all souls saved. He is the protector of children, but also of travelers. He promised to protect the souls of children who died too soon, so that he could not accumulate enough good deeds to be reincarnated.
With the evolution of Japanese society, Jizô Buddha now embodies other types of protection (such as stillborn babies). His figure can be present during ceremonies which aim to accompany souls during abortions for example.