Okakae Jizo Statue (Website) おかかえ地蔵（WEB）

Official explanation

The Okakae Jizo is said to have been created in 1650, and is housed in a small hut that was renovated in 2017. It is located on a small hill down a narrow alley just off the main street of the historic district.

Jizo is a Buddhist guardian deity of children and travelers. Statues of Jizo are often dressed in a red cape, as Japanese have long believed that the color red defends against evil. The main role of Jizo is to protect children, the souls of children who have passed away, and unborn babies. Jizo statues are commonly found on roadsides to protect travelers.

Read the full explanation

A local legend relates that if you pick up and hold the Okakae Jizo while making a wish, and it feels lighter than you imagined it would, then your wish will come true. It is rare to have the chance to pick up and hold a Jizo statue, so this is an experience unique to Takehara.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.