Japanese ceramic money box, JIZO-L, monk

Japanese ceramic money box, JIZO-L, monk, made in Japan

Jizô statuettes are above all the representation of a Buddha, Boddhisatva Ksitigarbha, more commonly called Jizô Bosatsu in Japan. Jizô Bosatsu is dedicated in particular to the protection of children and travelers. Jizô is often portrayed with a childish face, and dressed in children's attributes (bibs and hats made by hand). it protects the souls of children who died too early. In Buddhist mythology, they are condemned to stay in limbo and build small piles of stones for their parents who are still alive. Myth is that at night, however, demons destroy the towers.