Hōgyū Jizō

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Hōgyū Jizō (放牛地蔵) are Japanese stone statues, mostly representing the bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, made by Buddhist monk Hōgyū (around 1672–1732) between 1722 and 1732 in Kumamoto, Japan. When Hōgyū was about 14, in 1686, his father was killed by a samurai. Later he made stone statues for the repose of the soul of his father.

Hōgyū Jizō of Ōjō-in, Ikeda, Kumamoto, the 100th statue
Hōgyū Jizō of Seian Temple in Uki city, Kumamoto Prefecture

Historical records

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In January 1686, a blacksmith called Hichizaemon, a heavy drinker, threw a bamboo blower at his son. It accidentally hit the forehead of a samurai, Ohyano Genzaemon. Despite repeated apologies, Genzaemon immediately killed Hichizaemon with a sword, that being legal at the time by kiri sute gomen. Genzaemon, the son and his sister all wrote witness statements, and the Bugyō did not punish Genzaemon.[1]

Out of grief, the son entered the Buddhist priesthood for the repose of his father, and offered a prayer with a vow that he would make 100 stone statues. He made 107 stone statues between 1722 and 1732. He died in 1732. The 100th statue was in Ōjō-in Temple in Kumamoto, and it was the largest statue (186 centimetres (73 in) high) among others standing on the big stone lotus.[citation needed]

Stone statues

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Most common are standing or sitting statues of Ksitigarbha with a monk's staff in the right hand and Cintamani in the left hand. There are other types of statues, such as Amitabha, Guanyin, Avalokitesvara, Bhaisajyaguru and mixtures of these statues. The height differs from the size of a person to 50 centimetres (20 in). Behind each statue is a boat-shaped Aureola on which is written "Tariki" ("Through the Buddha") and the sequence number of his statue such as the 100th, and the petitioner is Hōgyū.[citation needed]

Another opinion

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Hideo Nagata studied every statue of Hōgyū and stated that the Hōgyū was not the boy whose father was killed. The statues might be connected with the circumstances of the time such as famine.[2][3]

Table of Hōgyū Jizō

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Number of production Location Kind of stone statue Date of production and

features such as engraved sentences

1 Idenakama Sitting Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger May 1722, Hōgyū's determination of making Ksitigabha statues which leads to live in a country of comfort.
2 Chikami-machi Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger September 1722 with Douka[4]
3 A park near Chorokubashi and Taiheibashi Standing Ksitigarbha In 1723 with Douka
4 Undiscovered Undiscovered Undiscovered
5 Hanaokayama road Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger In 1723, with Douka
6 Ikedamachi, Ōjō-in Temple Standing Ksitigarbha with Namaste hands In July 1723 with Douka
7 Tsuboi 4choume, Soushinji Temple Ksitigarbha with Khakkhara on the right hand and Globus cruciger on the left hand. With Douka
8 (A) Shimasaki 6chome, and (B) Shimasaki 5 chome (A) Standing Ksitigarbha and (B) Standing Amitabha In December 1723 with Douka
9 Kasuga 3chome Standing Amitabha February 1724
10 Kuhonji 1chome Standing Ksitigarbha Disappeared after raid
11 Undiscovered Undiscovered Undiscovered
12 Undiscovered Undiscovered Undiscovered
13 Kasuga 3chome Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger May
14 Murozono 2chome Standing Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger May, 1724 with Douka
15 Kyomachi 1chome, Aizomein Temple Standing Gautama Buddha statue Moved due to road construction
16 Saikumachi 4chome, Souzenji Temple No statue, only footstone July, 1724
17 Kinpozan Daishogun Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger August
18 Shimizumachi Tatsushoji Temple Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger Douka
19 Suizenji 4chome Watarize Destroyed in raid, renewed Doka on footstone
20 Kon-yamachi 3chome Shimogawara Park Standing Ksitigarbha with a flag on the right hand, Globus cruciger on the left Douka
21 Matsuo-machi Standing Avalokitesvara Douka
22 Ikeda 1chome Ikeda Hachiman Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger January, 1725, Douka
23 Hokubucho Kusuhara Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger July, 1725, Discovered in 1990
24 Akitamachi Goto Standing Amitabha Unreadable Douka
25 Yokote 4chome Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger August, 1725 with Douka
26 Kurokami 7chome Uruge Standing 11 faced Guanyin with Censer No Douka
27 Near Chorokubashi Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger No footstone
28 Undiscovered Undiscovered Undiscovered
29 Oe 1chome Zenkoji Temple Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger Douka
30 Hokubucho shimosuzurikawa(A),Tasaki Bridge(B) Gautama Buddha statue(A)Ksitigarbha with Khakkhara on the right hand and Globus cruciger on the left hand(B) Jan. 1726(B),Douka(A)
31 Hokubucho Kitasako Standing Ksitigarbha with Khakkhara on the right hand and Globus cruciger on the left hand July, 1726, with 8 names
32 Hokubucho Kajio Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger September, 1726 with 14 names, Confirmed in 1990
33 Yokotecho Shihoike Standing Amitabha with stone crown Unreadable Douka
34 Ikedacho Ikegami Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger No footstone
35 Asogun Kikinomura Standing Amitabha Douka, discovered in 1985
36 Uekimachi Mukausaka Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger May, 1727 with Douka
37 Undiscovered Undiscovered Undiscovered
38 Yokotecho Higashi Shihouike Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger June 1727 with Douka
39 Nihongi 3chome Sitting Bhaisajyaguru September
40 (A)Kikuchi-gun Shisuimachi (B)Kawachi-machi Odao (A)(B)Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger (A)Road Directing Post;Right is Waifu Town, February 1728
41 Kawachimachi Iwashita Stupa and no statue Douka, Road Directing Post
42 Daniyama, Disappeared by air raid Unknown Unknown
43 Mukaemachi 1chome Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger Road Direction Post (Satsuma and Hyuga)
44 shimizu Honmachi, Takaba Road Standing Ksitigarbha with Namaste hands April 1728 with Douka
45 Kotohira 2chome Destroyed in air raid, parts remain May 1728
46 Shin-yashiki 1chome Kongoji Temple Standing Ksitigarbha but disappeared due to raid June 1728 with Douka
47 Kurokami 2chome, near Seiseiko Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger July 1728 with Douka
48 Kasuga 2chome Sitting Amitabha September 1728
49 Hokubumachi Hida Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger September 1728,Crossroad pointing to Waifu and Kino
50 Kikuchi-gun, Shisuimachi Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger

Road Direction Post pointing to Kumamoto

51 Kikuchi-gun, Hichijomachi Kae Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger September 1728 with Douka
52 Undiscovered Undiscovered Undiscovered
53 Kotohira Honcho Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger Road Direction Post pointing to Mifune
54 Ikeda 1chome Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger January 1729
55 Undiscovered Undiscovered Undiscovered
56 Mukaemachi, near Chorokubashi Standing Ksitigarbha Douka
57 Ozawamachi Seikoji Temple Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger| March 1729
58 Kasuga 2chome Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger 1729
59 Kikuchi-gun Hichijo-machi, Mizushima A mixture of 11 faced Guanyin and Amitabha Road Direction Post pointing to Waifu
60 Motoyamacho, (now) Rendaiji-cho,now Sitting Ksitigarbha with Khakkhara on the right hand and Globus cruciger on the left hand February 1729 with Douka
61 Undiscovered Undiscovered Undiscovered
62 Yahatamachi Kawashiri Shrine Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger September 1729
63 Kawachimachi Seita Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger August 1729
64 Shimomashiki-gun, Tomiaimachi Kihara Fudoson Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger September 1729
65 Nishigoshicho, Nonoshima, Yagu Shrine Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger September 1729 with Douka
66 Kikuchi-gun, Kikuyocho, Haramizu, Standing Ksitigarbha with Khakkhara on the right hand and Globus cruciger on the left hand September 1729
67 Tsuboi 5chome No statue due to raid but only footstone remains October 1729 with Douka
68 Tasaki Crossing near Kumamoto Station Disappeared Disappeared
69 Honjo 2chome Kasuga Sekkyosho Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger October 1729 with Douka
70 Chisoku Temple but disappeared in raid Disappeared Disappeared
71 Ikeda 1chome Iwatate Previously Nyoirin-Kannon(air raid and replaced by another) December 1729 with Douka
72 Tamana-gun, Gyokuto machi Harakura Honmachi Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger January 17 Rediscovered in 1990
73 Yokote 3chome Sitting Amitabha February 1730 with Douka (in Document)
74 Inside a rock of Ueki town Sitting Amitabha March 1730 with Douka
75 Nishigoshi town Kuroishi Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger March 1715 with Douka
76 Tamana-gun Nagashu machi Ishimiya Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger April 1730 with Douka, Jizō Festival observed
77 Kamimashiki-gun, Mashiki-machi Koga Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger May 1730 Jizō Festival observed
78 Ikeda 1chome Parts remaining due to raid March 1730
79 Kasuga 3chome Standing Ksitigarbha Douka
80 Hokubu machi Kamao, Inside wall Standing Ksitigarbha September
81 Kamoto-gun Kikukacho, Terada Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger September 1730, Discovered in 1973
82 Senba machi Standing Avalokitesvara Douka, Jizō festival observed
83 Uki city Matsubara machi, Seian Temple Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger December 1730, Discovered in 1986
84 Kawachi machi Node Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger January 1731, Discovered in 1983
85 Matsuo machi Chikazu Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger January 1731
86 Shimasaki 2chome Sitting Amitabha February 1731
87 Kawashiri machi Oowatari Park Sitting Amitabha March 1731, Discovered in 1982, Jizō festival observed
88 Takahashi machi Tensha Shrine Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger April 1731
89 Tosaka machi Community Center Standing 11-faced Guanyin May 1731 with Douka
90 Ozawa machi Seifukuji Temple Standing Ksitigarbha with Khakkhara on the right hand and Globus cruciger on the left hand 1731, the biggest among Hōgyū Jizōs
91 Ikegami cho Sitting Amitabha June 1731
92 Oe 4chome Korenori Shrine A mixture of Guanyin and Ksitigarbha May 1731 with Douka
93 Ezu, Nakanose, Sitting Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger July 1731
94 Hokubucho Otsuka Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger 1731 with Douka, Jizō festival observed
95 Toshima machi Kitamuku Sitting Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger September 1731
96 Hokubucho Akinamazu Guanyin on the head part, and otherwise, standing Amitabha October 1731 with Douka
97 Kawachi machi Kuroishi Sitting Ksitigarbha on rock Douka, Discovered in 1982
98 Kamimashiki-gun, Yabe machi Uehata Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger November 1731, Jizō festival observed. Discovered in 1975
99 Ikegamicho, Taniozaki Sitting Amitabha November 1731 with Douka
100 Ikeda 2chome, Ojoin Temple Sitting Ksitigarbha with Khakkhara on the right hand and Globus cruciger on the big stone lotus 1732, The 100th statue with Douka
101 Undiscovered Undiscovered Undiscovered
102 Kawachi machi, Tomon Temple Standing Avalokitesvara over the neck and Amitabha under the neck April 1732 with Douka
103 Kamimashikigun, Kashima-machi Namazu, Koon Temple Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger April 1732, Douka unclear, Discovered in 1974, Hougyu festival observed
104 Chikami-machi Only footstone, which served two Hōgyū Jizōs Discovered in 1970
105 Hieda-machi, Hieda-kannondo Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger August 1732
106 Tsunoura-cho, Community Center Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger September 1732
107 Kamimashiki-gun, Mashiki-cho, Tanigo Community Center Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger October 1732 with Douka
Others Kasugamachi and other places Various kinds of Hōgyū Jizōs There are 8 Hōgyū Jizōs without numbers, In one, 1726
Grave of Hōgyū Yokote 5 chome Sitting monk-shaped statue with Khakkhara on the right hand and Buddhist prayer beads on the left hand Dated November 8, 1732 by the builder of the grave. Discovered in 1938

Poems

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The following are douka, or didactic poems, of Hōgyū:

Those who are rich and those who are not, differ in the present world, but they are the same after death. (19th statue)

You who speak to us, and we who are spoken to, both are of transient existence like dreams. (75th statue)

A cow without a bridle (Hōgyū) which carries Sattva on its back, leads people to a country of Buddha. (38th, 67th, 71st, 73rd, and 74th statues)

Hōgyū is like a bathhouse, the people in the world are like those who bath in the bathhouse. (14th statue)

A burglar and I who met burglary, are the same on the same Padma (attribute). (22nd statue)

A break comes, which leads us to the future, not the past; come rain any time, blow wind at any time. (3rd statue)

In the present world, like both sides of leaves which receive wind, things go in one way or another. (29th statue)

People' tongue is sweet, like candy or sugar or licorice; Amitabha is not sweet, though not outspoken. (60th statue)

If you ask me what I am, I will answer either I am mountain or river, but if you ask me what my heart is, I do not know how to answer. (24th statue)

Before bowing Kami or Buddha, you should bow your parents, there is nothing like parents, who are like Buddha. (41st, 44th and 51st stone statues.)

Notes

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  1. ^ Takada[1990:1123]
  2. ^ Nagata[1989]
  3. ^ Nagata[1994]
  4. ^ Douka is the lessons in Buddhism for enlightenment or for life, either in the style of waka

References

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  • Yashushi Takada (1998), 平成肥後国誌下 放牛地蔵 [Heisei Higo Historical Encyclopedia, Hogyu Jizo] (in Japanese), Kumamoto: Heisei Higo Kokushi Publishing Committee, pp. 1123–1155
  • Hideo Nagata (1989), 他力放牛 [salvation from without;releasing a cow(name)] (in Japanese), Kumamoto{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • 放牛の風景 [Scenery of Hogyu statues] (in Japanese), Kumamoto: Hideo Nagata, 1994
  • 火の国をゆく 放牛地蔵 [Stone statues of Hogyu] (in Japanese), Kitakyushu: Asahi Shimbun, September 18, 1994, p. 28
  • Incident at Kajiyacho confirmed on Mar. 14, 2012