Not as Whimsical as They Appear...

While it isn’t unusual for Buddhist temples to have statues, Zojoji Temple was unique in the type and number of statues: there were hundreds of child-size stone statues. Instead of just red bibs as at most temples, these statues had hats, windmills and other decorations. We quickly figured out that each statue is cared for by individuals since they were decorated so differently.

We thought they were very cute and whimsical until we discovered the real reason behind all those statues. They make up the Garden of Statues of Unborn Children.

When parents lose a baby (miscarried, aborted or stillborn), they can choose a statue and decorate it to help them through the grieving process.

There is a belief that the garden is protected by Jizo, who ensures that the unborn souls are brought to the afterlife.