Japan: Souls of Unborn Children | Zojoji Temple in Tokyo

Zojoji Temple is one of Japan’s largest and most important Buddhist temples. In fact, Zojoji is the chief temple for those of the Jodo Buddhist sect. The temple was originally built in the year 1393 and moved to its present location in 1598 by Tokugawa Ieyasu who selected it as his family temple. The most beautiful, saddest, and unique part of the temple is the rows and rows of clothed and decorated jizo statues, situated to the right of the main temple building. The statues represent the souls of unborn children: those who died before birth, as well as those yet to be born. Some of the statues here are well taken care of and visited often, while others are neglected and alone.