Gazing off into time.

I no longer remember where I took this, but it isn't really important, because you find these guys literally everywhere in Japan.

Meet Jizō, or O-Jizō-sama for respect, Japan's most popular Buddhist figure. He plays into several places in Japanese mythology and folk stories. In some ways he is similar to Saint Christopher, a protector of travelers. More commonly, he is known as a protector of children. It is said that in the afterlife he aids children in their quest to be reborn.

He may be dressed in monk's clothes along with his staff, but more commonly he is usually dressed in a red bib and cap, as he was here. You find him along roads everywhere.

Older folks will sometimes bow to these roadside shrines and offer a small prayer. I've only seen older people doing this, but I suppose you could see younger people doing it too.

It is said by some of the more superstitious people that these statues are alive and therefore should always be shown the utmost respect. A priest once told me that this is the reason why you often see donations of saké at the various Buddhist statues in Japan. If true, I wonder what the Jizō in this photo is thinking. Probably something like "I wonder when this annoying gaijin taking photos of me will leave."

	David LaSpina is an American photographer and translator lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time and searching for the perfect haiku.