Jizo Bodhisattva (1 of 2) (Skt: Kṣitigarbha)
Bodhisattva are beings who have vowed to postpone their own enlightenment until they have brought salvation to all sentient beings. Jizo Bodhisattva works to ease the suffering of all souls trapped in hell, and is the protector of children, mothers, and travelers, among others. He answers prayers for health, success, and other common requests.
He is represented here as a priest in simple yet graceful robes, with a halo around his shaved head as is common with most depictions of Jizo found throughout Japan. He is holding a hoju (sacred wish-fulfilling jewel) in his left hand. The hoju represents the Jizo’s desire to bestow blessings on all who suffer. The statue likely dates to the tenth century. It is sculpted from a single block of camphor and is 136 centimeters high.