ETHAS 050346

Jizō Bodhisattva with a child, Jizō Bosatsu 地藏菩薩

Back to results
050346
Jizō Bodhisattva with a child, Jizō Bosatsu 地藏菩薩
Signed Jōshin 淨心
Japan
Late 16th century
Wood
Acquired with the help of the Friends of Central Asia Society (Geneva-Asia) in 1996
The cult of Jizō (skr. Kṣitigarbha), protector of the dead, spread in Japan from the 13th century. About the 17th -18th century, he became the protector of children who die in infancy and of pregnant women; these days he is often associated with rites for the repose of aborted children (mizuko水子). This statue is one of the earliest signs of the Jizō cult for the protection of children.

The image above is subject to copyright.
Copyrights for Photographic Reproduction

Japanese Buddhist iconography

Buddhism passed from China to Japan in the 6th century. There it was particularly influenced by its esoteric form (Tantrism). This form uses rituals to a large number of beings who incarnate various degrees of enlightenment: buddhas, bodhisattvas, gods and goddesses, “kings of science” and others. Tantric Buddhism is represented by the Shingon and Tendai schools. They specialised in iconography in order to codify the colours, postures and gestures of the various personages used not only in the rituals but as an aid to meditation.

The great Amida (<i>Daibutsu</i>) Buddha of Kamakura, <i>Views and Customs of Japan</i>, by Stillfried & Andersen, Yokohama, around 1870.

The great Amida (Daibutsu) Buddha of Kamakura, Views and Customs of Japan, by Stillfried & Andersen, Yokohama, around 1870. Alfred Bertrand collection © MEG Inv. ETHPH 411954

Bibliograpy

  • Ducor, Jérôme. 2010. Le regard de Kannon. Genève : Musée d'ethnographie, p. 83

© 2021 Musée d'ethnographie, Genève