Earth Store Bodhisattva (or Jizo Bosatsu in Japanese) Introduction

A Latitude 20 Book

“John Clark has written a remarkable book about shoreline statues of Jizo, a Buddhist figure dedicated to our protection and enlightenment. Erected by issei, first-generation Japanese Americans, Jizo statues served as guardians of ulua fishermen casting in remote and dangerous coastal areas. John draws on interviews with more than three hundred individuals to document the location of these statues and in the process offers us a glimpse of the daily lives and spirituality of early Japanese Americans. We are indebted to him for making us aware of these Jizo monuments and their role in shaping Hawai‘i’s multicultural heritage.” —Dennis Ogawa, chair, American Studies Department, University of Hawai’i

“Here are stories meticulously unearthed and added to the rich cultural experience and legacy of Japanese immigrants in Hawai‘i. Initially, one would think that this is just an interesting sotry about statues of Jizo and where they can be found. But Clark’s book covers considerably more. We find, as Clark says, ‘the stories of these statues of Jizo are part of a much larger story.’ What a brilliant and fascinating way to see another side of early Japanese culture.” —Juliet S. Kono, author of Tsunami Years and Hoolu‘u Park and the Pepsodent Smile

“Here in the Aloha State of Hawai’i, where we have a bonding of various ethnic and religious backgrounds, we are protected by many different deities, including Jizo. We are grateful as we journey together on the waves of life that we can find solace and shelter in Jizo. Guardian of the Sea is an inspirational book for all.” —Bishop Dean Zenei Okimura, Koboji Shingon Mission of Hawai‘i

Jizo, one of the most beloved Buddhist deities in Japan, is known primarily as the guardian of children and travelers. In coastal areas, fishermen and swimmers also look to him for protection. Soon after their arrival in the late 1800s, issei (first-generation Japanese) shoreline fishermen began casting for ulua on Hawai‘i’s treacherous sea cliffs, where they risked being swept off the rocky ledges. In response to numerous drownings, Jizo statues were erected near dangerous fishing and swimming sites, including popular Bamboo Ridge, near the Blowhole in Hawai‘i Kai; Kawaihâpai Bay in Mokulç‘ia; and Kawailoa Beach in Hale‘iwa. Guardian of the Sea tells the story of a compassionate group of men who raised these statues as a service to their communities.

Written by an authority on Hawai‘i’s beaches and water safety, Guardian of the Sea shines a light on a little-known facet of Hawai‘i’s past. It incorporates valuable firsthand accounts taken from interviews with nisei (second-generation) fishermen and residents and articles from Japanese language newspapers dating as far back as the early 1900s. In addition to background information on Jizo as a guardian deity and historical details on Jizo statues in Hawai‘i, the author discusses shorecasting techniques and organizations, which once played a key role in the lives of local Japanese. Although shorecasting today is done more for sport than subsistence, it remains an important ocean activity in the Islands.

In examining Jizo and the lives of issei, Guardian of the Sea makes a significant contribution to our understanding of recent Hawai‘i history.

(from http://www.uhpress.hawaii.edu/cart/shopcore/?db_name=uhpress&page=shop/flypage&product_id=5118&category_id=b3e6237d1b1b3b8594488ed1c40d0dfb&PHPSESSID=46379f6e99952dd6976adfb36075a030) ?

There are many stories of the great god, Jizo. Here is one of them. They all show the carefree heart of the Japanese, and their association with religion and nature. I will tell one more for you.

In the old days, it was the custom to share labor, and to perform labor as a form of tax. This was not voluntary, but compulsory. The story is: Once upon a time, near the Grand Shrine of Taisha, an old couple lived who worshipped a wooden statue of Jizo. Sadly, the wife died. Thereafter, the old man lived alone and he also became ill.

At that same time, the village chief told everyone to come and help plant rice in his fields. The old man, too sick to go, worried about his punishment, and prayed to his family Jizo for mercy. On the day for planting the rice, the village chief called the name of each householder. When the old man's name was called, a 17-year-old youth stepped forward.

He was accepted in place of the old man and worked so hard and well that the chief gave him a sake cup as a reward when the work was done. The boy put the cup on his head and went home. The next day, the chief came to tell the old man of the boy's good work. The old man was quite surprised at this, because he knew nothing about such a boy. He felt that the boy had come because of the Jizo, and he went to him to pray. When he confronted his statue and started to pray, he noticed with amazement that there was a cup on the Jizo's head, and that its feet were covered with mud!

Then he realized that his little god had done the work himself. All over Japan, there are many stories of the Ta Ue Jizo. The two that I have told you concern our own Izumo no Kuni, and I thought you might be interested in them. It is such customs and stories that have continued to hold my interest in the Izumo no Kuni of legend.

(from http://www.aa01.com/jculture/jcl-e/4000/4053.html) ???

(29) Jizo in Folk Tales

In Japan, there are many carvings to be seen. Most of these carvings have to do with daily life and the things we see around us. The origin of these carvings was due to the coming of Buddhism to Japan in the sixth century, along with its magnificent art and religious statues. Wood is often used, and a great many stone statues were also made. Of course, there were castings of Buddhist images and other religious objects, usually of bronze.

Among these arts, was the carving of the Jizo, a very powerful god with many characters. Among them have been found sake drinkers, fire fighters, rice planters, thorn and splinter removers, finders of lost persons, bringers of justice, substitutes for people in danger, wanderers who leave their pedestals causing distress to their worshippers, and many others.

Our own area of Izumo no Kuni has a couple of stories in the old books, that I will tell you. First, there is a little town called Yaye, in the Izumo Province. (I have searched for this town and can't find it. Therefore, I suppose it has had a name change.) In this town, there was a water shortage and one farmer was trying to draw water into his rice fields. His neighbors beat him for this. The next day a Buddhist priest came and drew water for the farmer. The neighbors became angry and shot him with an arrow. The priest disappeared!

The farmer, who regularly worshipped his Jizo, went to pay his respects that evening. He found the feet of the Jizo covered with mud, and an arrow sticking in its back! After this, the farmer worshipped his statue more sincerely than ever. These kinds of stories make all legends fascinating for me! (from http://www.aa01.com/jculture/jcl-e/4000/4052.html) ???

(30) The temple of the Boddhisattva Rokuhara Jizo at Otagi, in the province of Yamashiro was built by Crown Prince Shotoku. In the reign of Emperor Murakami (946-967) there lived at Gojo in Kyoto a man who had once been in the service of a noble at Court but had now fallen on hard times. The man became a monk and, at their wit's end, his wife and children prayed to Rokuhara Jizo. The wife died but, with the aid of an old monk, her daughter was able to give her a proper funeral at Toribeno. In fact the old monk was an incarnation of Rokuhara Jizo. In gratitude the girl offered her hair, her most precious possession, and Rokuhara Jizo wrapped it around his hand which is why he was known as 'Jizo holding the hair'. (from http://dbs.humi.keio.ac.jp/naraehon/ehon/index2-e.asp?frame=False&id=KL029) ???

(31) Fire Protecting Jizo of Konomo

From olden times Arima has been called "Yu-no-yama (Bath Mountain)" with many people coming to have their pain and illness cured. To get to the Yu-no-yama or Arima from Osaka or Kyoto, people must pass through Namaze. Thinking it would be a shame not to stop on their way, many visitors to Arima visit the temple where the statue of Konomoto "Jizo (guardian deity of children)" is housed. The nearby villagers place great importance on the kind Jizo since it is this patron saint that protects the children and women of the village.

In the vicinity of the Jizo lived a farmer named Otoji of Kawabe, who from an early age believed deeply in Buddha and often prayed to Konomoto Jizo. Otoji was married and the couple had a lovely baby.

One day when the couple went to gather firewood on the backside of the mountain, they left their baby sleeping the basket since it was fast asleep. They worked hard to gather wood and started preparing to return. "Let's call it a day. Let's go home." At that time, they looked toward the foot of the mountain and saw black smoke billowing from the proximity of their house.

"Fire!" they screamed, casting down the heavy pack that they had been carrying. The couple descended the mountain as fast as their legs could carry them. Deep in their thoughts was the sleeping baby inside the house engulfed in a sea of fire. Overcome with fear for his baby's safety, Otoji jumped through the flames into the house.

Inside the wall of fire, he saw the standing form of Konomoto Jizo. The baby was cradled in the bosom of Jizo and was sound asleep. The always kind-looking face of Jizo had a stern expression as he fended off the fire with the strenuous rustling of his sleeve to make sure that the smoke and spit of the fire would not come down on the baby. Otoji quickly took hold of the baby and dashed outside. He handed the baby to his wife and tried to rush back into the house, but in the deep flaming fire he could not see Jizo anywhere. After their home fell from the flames, Otoji realized that Konomoto Jizo had returned to the temple. Otoji hurried to the temple to see Jizo.

At the temple, Otoji could see, as always, the kind eyes of Jizo, but the face and robe had been blackened.

"It was you, Jizo, who saved our baby from the fire, wasn't it! Thank you. It is because of you that our lovely baby is alive. I'll never forget this blessing for as long as I live!" With the mother holding their baby, the three of them prayed before Jizo for a long time and could not bring themselves to leave.

Even now, the damage to Jizo's cheek and robe at left side is clearly visible, and the reason for the damage has been handed down expressing the "Fire Protecting Jizo"

(from http://www.ryuusenkaku.jp/english/folklores15.html) ???