Losing a child can be very painful, even if that child is yet to be born.
A Jizo statue wearing a red bib in the garden at Sanzenin Temple in Kyoto, Japan.
Jizo, a bodhisattva, or an enlightened being, is the guardian of these children.
Jizo statues are a common sight in temples and graveyards and even the roadside.
The stone statues are clothed with tiny children clothing, usually red bibs and red caps.
Grieving parents also leave toys, candy and other offering at the base of the Jizo statues.
Although themizuko kuyotradition dates back to centuries, it only gained prominence after the Second World War.
In recent years, the practice has beenadopted by manyAmerican couples.
Jizo statues at Zojoji Temple, Tokyo.
Photo credit:Blanscape/Shutterstock.com
A mountain of stacked stones and Jizo statues at Oku-no-in.
Photo credit:Maarten Heerlien/Flickr
Jizo statues in the volcanic mountains of Nasu Sessho-seki Rock ,Tochigi, Japan.
