Inori no Mori祈りの杜working title

Bodhisattva (bosatsu)

Chiji Jizō

地持地蔵ちじじぞう

An illustration of Chiji Jizō created for this site
An original illustration made for this site.

This is a Jizō listed as one of the Six Jizō.

This introduction is based on materials from Shōhōin (Tobi Fudō). It is summarized within the scope of the beliefs and traditions those materials convey, and does not present explanations or customs common to all schools, shrines, and temples.

English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む

The name and role of Chiji Jizō

This is a Jizō listed as one of the Six Jizō. On the original page the name 護讃地蔵 is written alongside, but there is no explanation of its form or role; only the name and the mantra are recorded.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院

Staying close to the suffering of the six worlds

The Six Jizō are a faith in Jizō Bosatsu saving the beings of each of the six realms: hell, hungry ghosts, animals, asura, humans and heavenly beings. They have been enshrined at places such as cemetery entrances, with prayers for the salvation of those who have died. Seen together, the six figures express Jizō's work of bringing salvation to every condition of life.

Source: 浄土宗

The Six Jizō have several lines of names

Shōhōin lists one set of six that includes 預天賀地蔵 and another set of six that includes 地持地蔵. The combinations of names, forms and objects held are not fixed. This site also keeps the two lines separate, and does not mean that all twelve form one set of Six Jizō.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院

Mantra (in Japanese, as written in the sources)

おん けん だらに だら そわか。

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院

Shown as written in the Japanese sources. This site does not set how or how many times to recite it.

Related kami and buddhas

Sources (in Japanese)