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Protectors of Children - Japanese Buddhism & Shintoism
Patrons of Motherhood, Fertility, and Easy Delivery
Last Update Feb. 4, 2006
14 Deities of Children and Motherhood
Added Kankiten | Sanou Gongen | Ususama
In Japan, there are many deities who are worshipped especially for their ability to bless couples with children, and to protect and save children from disaster. These guardians often appear as heroes in modern stories and cartoons. Most originated in Hindu myth and over time were incorporated into Buddhism, while others sprang from Japan's indigenous Shinto tradition. Over the centuries, however, the two traditions have merged, and many of the deities now share similar attributes. For example, the Shinto goddess Koyasu-sama, who grants easy childbirth, has Buddhist counterparts named Koyasu Kannon, Koyasu Jizo, Koyasu Kishibojin, and Jibo Kannon.
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KARITEIMO
or KISHIBOJIN
Skt. = Hariti. Before becoming a Buddhist goddess, Kariteimo was the mother of demons. She symbolizes the selfish nature of mothers who go to terrible lengths to protect their children. Kariteimo had hundreds of children. To feed them, she kidnapped the babies of others and fed them to her own. But, after the Historical Buddha hid one of her children, she came to understand the pain and suffering she had caused countless parents and children. She repented, embraced Buddhism, and became the guardian of children and "child-giving" goddess. Important to Nichiren sect. Details here.
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Suijin or Suiten or Mizu no Kamisama. The Shinto deity of water, often a goddess, protects not only fishermen but also serves as the patron saint of fertility, motherhood, and easy childbirth. She is widely worshipped at "Suitengu" Shrines throughout Japan, and votive stone markers devoted to her can be found frequently in the countryside. The Suitengu Shrine in Kurume (Fukuoka) is the main shrine of all Suitengu Shrines in Japan, especially famous to those praying for safe and easy childbirth. Suiten is sometimes associated with Benzaiten, the Buddhist goddess of fine arts. For details, visit the Suijin Page
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Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy.
Skt. = Avalokitesvara. Comes in many forms. The three feminine forms most closely associated with children and motherhood are the Juntei Kannon (Skt. = Cundi, the "mother of the Buddhas"), the Koyasu Kannon (child-giving Kannon), and the Jibo Kannon (loving-mother Kannon). These forms of Kannon have been merged with or confused with Kariteimo, the Shinto deity Koyasu-sama (goddess of easy childbirth; see below) and the Shinto water deity Suijin. For details on this merging, click here.
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Asama Shrines
Sengen Shrines
浅間神社 (せんげん)
SHINTO
ORIGIN
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Koyasu-sama. Asama Shrines (also read "Sengen") are dedicated to the mythical princess Konohana Sakkuya Hime (also spelled Konohanasakuya; also known as Koyasu-sama), the Shinto deity of Mount Fuji, of cherry trees in bloom, and the goddess who grants easy childbirth. Legend contends she gave birth to a son while her house was devoured by flames. But after Buddhism gained a strong foothold in Japan, Koyasu-sama was largely supplanted by her Buddhist equivalents, known as Koyasu Kishibojin, Koyasu Kannon, Koyasu Jizo, and Jibo Kannon. For details on this Koyasu merging, please click here. Nonetheless, more than 1000 Sengen Shrines still exist across Japan, with the head shrines standing at the foot and the summit of Mount Fuji itself. For her associations with Suijin (the Shinto goddess of water and easy childbirth), please click here.
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BUDDHIST ORIGIN
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JIZO BOSATSU
Jizo is the guardian of souls in hell and a popular protector of children, for Jizo works to ease the suffering and shorten the sentence of children serving time in Sai no Kawara, the river of souls in purgatory. Children in this realm pray for Buddha's compassion by building small stone towers, piling stone upon stone. But an underworld demon soon arrives and scatters their stones and beats them with an iron club. No need to worry, though, for Jizo comes to the rescue. In one version of the story, Jizo hides the children in the sleeves of his robe. Two other forms of Jizo associated with children are Mizuko Jizo (protector of aborted children) and Koyasu Jizo (child-giving Jizo).
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HINDU ORIGIN
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Benzaiten (Skt. = Sarasvati)
Shinto Association: Kami Itsukushima Hime
The Buddhist goddess of music, poetry, learning, and art, also the goddess of the sea and protector of children. Benzaiten is sometimes associated with the Shinto deity Suijin/Suiten, the latter a goddess who protects fishermen and children. Both are closely associated with water (the ocean, rivers, lakes, and ponds). In Japan, Benzaiten is also closely associated with the dragon and snake. Enoshima island in Japan is of major importance to Benzaiten followers -- according to myth, she married a child-eating dragon who lived near here and was thus able, through her good influence, to put an end to the slaughter of little children. Their union gave birth to Enoshima island. She is worshipped widely in both Shinto and Buddhist traditions, and is the only female among Japan's Seven Lucky Gods.
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Jibo Kannon
Modern Jibo Kannon Painting
Artist Shouou Harada
Text & Photo Courtesy treasureasia.com
Jibo Kannon radiates with love and sympathy toward all children and child-rearing mothers. As seen here (photo at left), Jibo Kannon stands near a baby, symbolizing her protection and care of children. The tenderness of this Buddha is known to nurse healthy children, and also to soothe the devastating feelings of mothers who have lost their loved ones. In Japan, there are many sites with statues of Jibo Kannon, especially sites that celebrate newborn babies and motherhood. For other photos of Jibo Kannon, click here (outside link). Editor's Note: Not sure about the origin of this deity. For a few more details, click here.
BUDDHIST ORIGIN
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CHINESE ORIGIN
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Shoki, the demon slayer. The story of Shoki was adopted from China, where he was known as Chung Kuei. During the Edo Period in Japan (1600-1868), families began to hang banners depicting Shoki inside and outside of their houses during the Boys' Day festival -- Tango no Sekku, May 5 each year, but now a festival for all children of both sexes. According to ancient tradition, this is a day when evil spirits and bad luck abounds. Images of Shoki ward off danger from the homes of families with male children.
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Hotei, one of Japan's Seven Lucky Gods, is sometimes shown in artwork with children playing at his feet. He carries a bag which never empties, from which he gives gifts to children and the worthy.
CHINESE ORIGIN
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BUDDHIST ORIGIN
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Bindora
Bindorabaradaja (J) 賓度羅跋羅惰闍
Pindola Bharadraja (Skt)
The most widely revered of the Arhat in Japan. Acts as a physician protector and watches over the health of infants. According to the Flammarion Iconographic Guide: "In Japan, statues of Pindola are usually well worn, since the faithful follow the custom of rubbing a part of the effigy corresponding to the sick parts of their bodies, for Bindora is reputed to have the gift of healing. He is also very frequently offered red and white bibs and children's caps to watch over the health of babies, so that his statue is often decked in rags." <end quote Flammarion>
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HINDU ORIGIN
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SENDAN KENDATSUBA
The warlike Sendan Kendatsuba uses his trident to skewer demons who attack children; origin from Indian mythology; a class of semi-divine beings who feed on the fragrance of herbs. They are also considered guardians of children. One of their kings, Sendan Kendatsuba, figures prominently in the Doujikyou Mandara. This deity is most prevalent among believers in Esoteric Buddhism. More details here.
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SHINTO
ORIGIN
Photo by
James Baquet
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Monkey Gods (Male & Female)
Messengers of Sanno Gongen
Monkeys are patrons of harmonious marriage and safe childbirth at some of the 3,800 Hie Jinja shrines in Japan. These shrines are dedicated to Sanno 山王 (lit. = Mountain King), the central deity of Japan's Tendai Shinto-Buddhist multiplex based around Mt. Hiei (Shiga Prefecture, near Kyoto) and to Sanno's messenger, Sanno Gongen 山王権現 (lit. = Mountain King Avatar), who is most often a monkey.
Also known as Sarugami (猿神), the Shinto monkey kami to whom the three monkeys (hear, speak, see no evil) are faithful. Nakayama Shrine in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture, appears in the Konjaku Monogatari-shu (今昔物語集, Heian Period). This shrine is considered, by some, to be the origin of Sarugami, who blesses couples with children, and is also known as the god of easy delivery and child rearing. For more details, please see the Monkey Pages.
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Ususama Myouou
烏枢沙摩明王
This deity was introduced to Japan from China by the priest Kuukai 空海 (774-835), and was invoked in rites especially for easy childbirth and for warding off the impurities associated with childbirth. In the Shingon and Zen sects, Ususama is also revered as the tutelary god of the toilet.
Photo courtesy of Butsuzou.com (J)
Statue can be purchased online at above site.
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Kankiten
歓喜天 （かんぎてん）
In Japan, Kangiten is worshipped as a central object of devotion. Kangiten symbolizes conjugal affection, and is thus prayed to by couples hoping for children. Statues of this deity are relatively rare in Japan -- most are kept hidden from public view and used in secretive rituals in which hot oil is poured over the image. Kangiten statues in Japan clearly reflect the deity's Hindu origins, for in India the deity is known as the elephant-headed Ganesha. In Japan, Kankiten is typically depicted with an elephant's head and human body, or as a pair of two-armed, elephant-headed deities in embrace.
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KOYASU KANNON
第71番：弥谷寺
88 Temples of Shikoku, Temple #71
www.kms.ac.jp/~hsc/henro/f_k_j/kannon.htm
Photo courtesy Health Center Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa Univ.
KOYASU JIZO
第22番：平等寺
88 Temples of Shikoku, Temple #22
www.kms.ac.jp/~hsc/henro/f_k_j/jizo.htm
Photo courtesy Health Center Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa Univ.
Photo by Andy Gray at www.japanwindow.com
Jizo at Shiroyama (in Hachioji, Tokyo)
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