/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>20112281
Jizo bosatsu (bosatsu is bodhisattva in Japanese) is the Japanese version of the Indian bodhisattva Ksitigarbha. He's often portrayed bald. The statues have baby features because he became a guardian of children. He protects the souls dead children (especially those who died during birth) and is called upon to protect living children as well, especially those about to be born. He also vowed to never become a buddha until he saves every single soul from the fiery pits of hell. Parents dress up Jizo statues with the clothes of their children, mostly those who passed, in order to gain his blessing for them. They are usually red because red symbolizes luck. The most popular items are hats and bibs. Narumi is wearing a stylized red bib. When it's snowing people often give Jizo statues protective hats, such as traditional conical ones like Narumi wears.