tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985569382279836889.post1863761337136028572..comments2024-03-23T23:28:05.995+11:00Comments on A Life Less Normal: Mariko-juku - Shizuoka Part 2jase8auhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14582069302006499855noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985569382279836889.post-61709394694856014902015-11-03T23:56:06.215+11:002015-11-03T23:56:06.215+11:00Hey Matty,
good question, and this one took some ...Hey Matty,<br /><br />good question, and this one took some research as a lot of Japanese people don't fully know the answer to that one. Here goes though.<br />The statues are of what the Buddhist religion calls Jizo Bosatsu. They represent monks that are a step below Buddha himself. They have resisted moving to the same religious level as Buddha as they believe their work is not yet finished. They represent protection. One theory is that they protect travellers. The more common theory is that they protect children (and it is in this theory that the red caps are explained). They protect the souls of the unborn children and those of the children who did not make it into this world alive. The hats are made by locals to keep the Jizo Bosatsu warm (and to accrue their own merit for when they themselves enter the afterlife). Red is the colour of choice as the generic term for a baby is Aka chan. In Japanese, Aka is also the word used for the colour red.<br />I hope that explains it for you, and if any of my Japanese readers would like to add to that explanation, or to correct me if I have made a mistake, please do!<br /><br />Take care Matty.jase8auhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14582069302006499855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985569382279836889.post-71802442721632906952015-10-26T12:01:49.423+11:002015-10-26T12:01:49.423+11:00Hey Jase, any idea why the statue were wearing the...Hey Jase, any idea why the statue were wearing the beanies? Are they just preparing for the coming winter months? :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07175970442452157941noreply@blogger.com