Jizo Statues at Hasedera

Rather than continue this long dry spell of no posts, no news, and no pictures, I figured I could at least pop off a picture.

These are Jizo statues. Jizo are bodhisattva who are considered to be guardians of unborn, aborted, and miscarried children, and also they generally protect and are merciful to those in need. All around they're a good deity for most general purposes and are among the most widely visible icons in Japan.

It is common for people to put a red bib on the statues, or to dress them somehow (usually the color is red) when they mean to thank the deity for services rendered, or to mourn someone's loss and pray for their guidance through to the next life.

These ones here have been given baby clothes and toys, most likely for a child who died young or was aborted.