Jizo

When I was in Japan back in 2017, I saw statues I felt very much attracted to. 

The statues are representations of Jizo, the Buddhist divinity loved by most Japanese people. Since I first saw them, even before I had read about their background in Japanese tradition, I fell in love with them too.

Taking Jizo as a source of inspiration I started creating ceramic statues that fill my heart with joy, they have a soothing and calming influence on me and are always able to make me smile. From these figurines my slogan “joy through clay” has seen the light and a picture of my first statuette has become the image representing my little business.

In Japan you can find Jizo statues in many places: in Buddhist temples, graveyards, at the side of the road in the countryside, or sometimes, at the corner of some streets in the cities. Some of them were dressed in red cloth. The red colour in Japanese tradition defends against evil and it protects children from danger and illness.

The primary role of Jizo is to protect children. Another role of Jizo is to protect travellers, firefighters and saves the souls of those suffering in the afterlife.

Jizo’s peaceful features and the many places you can meet them, make Jizo statues one of my favourite sights as a foreigner in Japan! Some figures, very ancient, give a truly mystical atmosphere to the Japanese countryside and forests, especially when covered with moss, they seem to become one with their surroundings.

More recent depictions of Jizo can have really adorable looks. They are highly likeable and it is said that Jizo becomes close to everyone, especially people who are in trouble. Some shops sell adorable and even cartoony versions of them as lucky charms and souvenirs.

I love to create my Jizo inspired statuettes. Imagining them in in their new houses or other locations, make me hope to disseminate positive vibes and good energy to the people that appreciate them like I do. 

Jan 7, 2022