Post by Allan on Aug 14, 2007 16:57:35 GMT -5
Mizuko Kuyo:
The Japanese. Rite
for the Unborn
by SYZen1t~
Stone statues resembling children
are found in abundance
across Japan at temples, shrines,
crossroads, roadsides, mountain
passes, and graveyards.
These statues are images of
the bodhisattva Jizo, who is one
of the most beloved of Japanese
divinities. He is esteemed as a
protector of travelers-both in
the physical world or in unseen
realms. Also known as Mizuko
Jizo Buddha, he is both guardian
and representation of aborted
and miscarried fetuses, stillborn babies, and prematurely deceased
children. Jizo also protects expectant mothers. He is the benevolent
deity who ensures the safety of fetuses during their etherworld
journeys and who guides them toward birth.
Myths and Beliefs
According to one Japanese legend, fetuses or children who die
prematurelYJare sent to the underworld to b_epunished for causing
irreparable sorrow to parents due to their deaths. These children
are deposited in a purgatorial dry bed in the "River of Souls,"
".-here they are subject to hard labors of piling stones to erect
monUments to Buddha in order to receive his blessings.. Tormenting
demons scatters the stones and beat the children with
;ron clubs. It is thus common to find piles of stones laid around
!.-zostatues. These are offerings from compassionate humans
cr.:s.hing to assist the children in performing their rock-piling
::Jn1ance in the underworld.
41
'.,..
Rite of Passa2e
In comparison with certain Eastern cultures, Western societies
bestow little or no symbolic acknowledgement of miscarriage,
aborted fetuses, and stillborn children. In the English language
there is no word for a mis~arried or aborted£etuses. There are no
Western memorial services for this form of loss-no rituals to say
farewell or to cleanse and assuage grief.
The Japanese are perhaps the most devoutly meticulous in
their reverence for babies who remain forever unborn. In Japan,
they are conferred a solemn social personhood and called mizuko,
or "water child." The word kuyo means "rite." Mizuko kuyo then is
a ritual of remembrance, honoring these spirits.
Jizds Forms
There are innumerable images of Jizo in Japan. Over the centuries,
his personifications have undergone many transformations-
from a dignified adult figure to a serene child-monk. The
child-monk looks about three years old and has a shaven head
and gentle smile. Usually in his right hand he holds a stick with
six rings. The jingles from the rings are to wake mortals from
deluded dreams or warn animals of his approach. His left hand
holds the bright jewel of dharma truth. The shining light from
this jewel banisl:tes all fear, and liberates people who are helplessly
enmeshed in darkness.
Mizuko Kuyo Observances
There are many ways to perform Mizuko Kuyo. Women pass~ng
by Ji~o statues may pause for a few moments of silence. Others
may make personal offerings whenever they feel the need at
shrines or other locations. These offerings. consist of flowers,
clothing, hats, bibs, toys, sweets, food, and so on.
Rituals are generally performed during summer and spring.
Certain temples provide sections where women can purchase
tombs for their mizuko and have a kaimyo,or a posthumous Buddhist
name, inscribed upon it. The tombs are rendered from
stone wi,th a carved figure ofJizo on top. He generally wears a red
bib and carries a staff with six rings or a stick with bells. To some,
these temple parts are not glum graveyards but rather "happy
places." Some are even outfitted with children's playgrounds.
42
~.\"omen and sometimes men bow and ladle water over the
;.:Chisattva in an act of ritual cleansing. Whether male or female,
iI:me light candles, incense sticks, and they adorn the tombs and
~ Jizo in garments. .
_-\nother ritual makes use of ema, or wooden plaques with
r:r::..:.I-shapedtops. Each plaque is suspended by a string. Mimyare
inscribed with prayers and personal messages to aborted or misarried
fetuses. The plaques are usually signed with the word
-:ccrner," but some fathers and entire families sign the ema to
~.:~or what they consider to be a departed family member.
--\.grieving mother may perform Mizuko Kuyo in the privacy
,Ji i.er home through a visit from a priest. The priest inscribes a
p:-;;wumous Buddhist name for the unborn child on a memorial
iIaC'~etor panel. This is thep placed on the family altar and hon-
~ along with other -ancestors
The Japanese. Rite
for the Unborn
by SYZen1t~
Stone statues resembling children
are found in abundance
across Japan at temples, shrines,
crossroads, roadsides, mountain
passes, and graveyards.
These statues are images of
the bodhisattva Jizo, who is one
of the most beloved of Japanese
divinities. He is esteemed as a
protector of travelers-both in
the physical world or in unseen
realms. Also known as Mizuko
Jizo Buddha, he is both guardian
and representation of aborted
and miscarried fetuses, stillborn babies, and prematurely deceased
children. Jizo also protects expectant mothers. He is the benevolent
deity who ensures the safety of fetuses during their etherworld
journeys and who guides them toward birth.
Myths and Beliefs
According to one Japanese legend, fetuses or children who die
prematurelYJare sent to the underworld to b_epunished for causing
irreparable sorrow to parents due to their deaths. These children
are deposited in a purgatorial dry bed in the "River of Souls,"
".-here they are subject to hard labors of piling stones to erect
monUments to Buddha in order to receive his blessings.. Tormenting
demons scatters the stones and beat the children with
;ron clubs. It is thus common to find piles of stones laid around
!.-zostatues. These are offerings from compassionate humans
cr.:s.hing to assist the children in performing their rock-piling
::Jn1ance in the underworld.
41
'.,..
Rite of Passa2e
In comparison with certain Eastern cultures, Western societies
bestow little or no symbolic acknowledgement of miscarriage,
aborted fetuses, and stillborn children. In the English language
there is no word for a mis~arried or aborted£etuses. There are no
Western memorial services for this form of loss-no rituals to say
farewell or to cleanse and assuage grief.
The Japanese are perhaps the most devoutly meticulous in
their reverence for babies who remain forever unborn. In Japan,
they are conferred a solemn social personhood and called mizuko,
or "water child." The word kuyo means "rite." Mizuko kuyo then is
a ritual of remembrance, honoring these spirits.
Jizds Forms
There are innumerable images of Jizo in Japan. Over the centuries,
his personifications have undergone many transformations-
from a dignified adult figure to a serene child-monk. The
child-monk looks about three years old and has a shaven head
and gentle smile. Usually in his right hand he holds a stick with
six rings. The jingles from the rings are to wake mortals from
deluded dreams or warn animals of his approach. His left hand
holds the bright jewel of dharma truth. The shining light from
this jewel banisl:tes all fear, and liberates people who are helplessly
enmeshed in darkness.
Mizuko Kuyo Observances
There are many ways to perform Mizuko Kuyo. Women pass~ng
by Ji~o statues may pause for a few moments of silence. Others
may make personal offerings whenever they feel the need at
shrines or other locations. These offerings. consist of flowers,
clothing, hats, bibs, toys, sweets, food, and so on.
Rituals are generally performed during summer and spring.
Certain temples provide sections where women can purchase
tombs for their mizuko and have a kaimyo,or a posthumous Buddhist
name, inscribed upon it. The tombs are rendered from
stone wi,th a carved figure ofJizo on top. He generally wears a red
bib and carries a staff with six rings or a stick with bells. To some,
these temple parts are not glum graveyards but rather "happy
places." Some are even outfitted with children's playgrounds.
42
~.\"omen and sometimes men bow and ladle water over the
;.:Chisattva in an act of ritual cleansing. Whether male or female,
iI:me light candles, incense sticks, and they adorn the tombs and
~ Jizo in garments. .
_-\nother ritual makes use of ema, or wooden plaques with
r:r::..:.I-shapedtops. Each plaque is suspended by a string. Mimyare
inscribed with prayers and personal messages to aborted or misarried
fetuses. The plaques are usually signed with the word
-:ccrner," but some fathers and entire families sign the ema to
~.:~or what they consider to be a departed family member.
--\.grieving mother may perform Mizuko Kuyo in the privacy
,Ji i.er home through a visit from a priest. The priest inscribes a
p:-;;wumous Buddhist name for the unborn child on a memorial
iIaC'~etor panel. This is thep placed on the family altar and hon-
~ along with other -ancestors