Hōgyū Jizō

Hōgyū Jizō (放牛地蔵) are Japanese stone statues; mostly of Ksitigarbha and other kinds of stone statues made by Buddhist monk Hōgyū (around 16721732) 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

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 biggest statue (186 centimetres (73 in) high) among others standing on the big stone lotus.

Stone statues

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 man 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.

Another opinion

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

Number of productionLocationKind of stone statueDate of production and

features such as engraved sentences

1 IdenakamaSitting Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerMay 1722, Hōgyū's determination of making Ksitigabha statues which leads to live in a country of comfort.
2 Chikami-machiStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerSeptember 1722 with Douka[4]
3 A park near Chorokubashi and TaiheibashiStanding KsitigarbhaIn 1723 with Douka
4 UndiscoveredUndiscoveredUndiscovered
5 Hanaokayama roadStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerIn 1723, with Douka
6 Ikedamachi, Ōjō-in TempleStanding Ksitigarbha with Namaste handsIn July 1723 with Douka
7 Tsuboi 4choume, Soushinji TempleKsitigarbha 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 AmitabhaIn December 1723 with Douka
9 Kasuga 3chomeStanding AmitabhaFebruary 1724
10 Kuhonji 1chomeStanding KsitigarbhaDisappeared after raid
11 UndiscoveredUndiscoveredUndiscovered
12 UndiscoveredUndiscoveredUndiscovered
13 Kasuga 3chomeStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerMay
14 Murozono 2chomeStanding Standing Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerMay, 1724 with Douka
15 Kyomachi 1chome, Aizomein TempleStanding Gautama Buddha statueMoved due to road construction
16 Saikumachi 4chome, Souzenji TempleNo statue, only footstoneJuly, 1724
17 Kinpozan DaishogunStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerAugust
18 Shimizumachi Tatsushoji TempleStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerDouka
19 Suizenji 4chome WatarizeDestroyed in raid, renewedDoka on footstone
20 Kon-yamachi 3chome Shimogawara ParkStanding Ksitigarbha with a flag on the right hand, Globus cruciger on the leftDouka
21 Matsuo-machiStanding AvalokitesvaraDouka
22 Ikeda 1chome Ikeda HachimanStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerJanuary, 1725, Douka
23 Hokubucho KusuharaStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerJuly, 1725, Discovered in 1990
24 Akitamachi GotoStanding AmitabhaUnreadable Douka
25 Yokote 4chomeStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerAugust, 1725 with Douka
26 Kurokami 7chome UrugeStanding 11 faced Guanyin with CenserNo Douka
27 Near ChorokubashiStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerNo footstone
28 UndiscoveredUndiscoveredUndiscovered
29 Oe 1chome Zenkoji TempleStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerDouka
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 KitasakoStanding Ksitigarbha with Khakkhara on the right hand and Globus cruciger on the left handJuly, 1726, with 8 names
32 Hokubucho KajioStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerSeptember, 1726 with 14 names, Confirmed in 1990
33 Yokotecho ShihoikeStanding Amitabha with stone crownUnreadable Douka
34 Ikedacho IkegamiStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerNo footstone
35 Asogun KikinomuraStanding AmitabhaDouka, discovered in 1985
36 Uekimachi MukausakaStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerMay, 1727 with Douka
37 UndiscoveredUndiscoveredUndiscovered
38 Yokotecho Higashi ShihouikeStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerJune 1727 with Douka
39 Nihongi 3chomeSitting BhaisajyaguruSeptember
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 IwashitaStupa and no statueDouka, Road Directing Post
42 Daniyama, Disappeared by air raidUnknownUnknown
43 Mukaemachi 1chomeStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerRoad Direction Post (Satsuma and Hyuga)
44 shimizu Honmachi, Takaba RoadStanding Ksitigarbha with Namaste handsApril 1728 with Douka
45 Kotohira 2chomeDestroyed in air raid, parts remainMay 1728
46 Shin-yashiki 1chome Kongoji TempleStanding Ksitigarbha but disappeared due to raidJune 1728 with Douka
47 Kurokami 2chome, near SeiseikoStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerJuly 1728 with Douka
48 Kasuga 2chomeSitting AmitabhaSeptember 1728
49 Hokubumachi HidaStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerSeptember 1728,Crossroad pointing to Waifu and Kino
50 Kikuchi-gun, ShisuimachiStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger

Road Direction Post pointing to Kumamoto

51 Kikuchi-gun, Hichijomachi KaeStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerSeptember 1728 with Douka
52 UndiscoveredUndiscoveredUndiscovered
53 Kotohira HonchoStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerRoad Direction Post pointing to Mifune
54 Ikeda 1chomeStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerJanuary 1729
55 UndiscoveredUndiscoveredUndiscovered
56 Mukaemachi, near ChorokubashiStanding KsitigarbhaDouka
57 Ozawamachi Seikoji TempleStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger| March 1729
58 Kasuga 2chomeStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger1729
59 Kikuchi-gun Hichijo-machi, MizushimaA mixture of 11 faced Guanyin and AmitabhaRoad Direction Post pointing to Waifu
60 Motoyamacho, (now) Rendaiji-cho,nowSitting Ksitigarbha with Khakkhara on the right hand and Globus cruciger on the left handFebruary 1729 with Douka
61 UndiscoveredUndiscoveredUndiscovered
62 Yahatamachi Kawashiri ShrineStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerSeptember 1729
63 Kawachimachi SeitaStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerAugust 1729
64 Shimomashiki-gun, Tomiaimachi Kihara FudosonStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerSeptember 1729
65 Nishigoshicho, Nonoshima, Yagu ShrineStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerSeptember 1729 with Douka
66 Kikuchi-gun, Kikuyocho, Haramizu,Standing Ksitigarbha with Khakkhara on the right hand and Globus cruciger on the left handSeptember 1729
67 Tsuboi 5chomeNo statue due to raid but only footstone remainsOctober 1729 with Douka
68 Tasaki Crossing near Kumamoto StationDisappearedDisappeared
69 Honjo 2chome Kasuga SekkyoshoStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerOctober 1729 with Douka
70 Chisoku Temple but disappeared in raidDisappearedDisappeared
71 Ikeda 1chome IwatatePreviously Nyoirin-Kannon(air raid and replaced by another)December 1729 with Douka
72 Tamana-gun, Gyokuto machi Harakura HonmachiStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger January 17 Rediscovered in 1990
73 Yokote 3chomeSitting AmitabhaFebruary 1730 with Douka (in Document)
74 Inside a rock of Ueki townSitting AmitabhaMarch 1730 with Douka
75 Nishigoshi town KuroishiStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerMarch 1715 with Douka
76 Tamana-gun Nagashu machi IshimiyaStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerApril 1730 with Douka, Jizō Festival observed
77 Kamimashiki-gun, Mashiki-machi KogaStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerMay 1730 Jizō Festival observed
78 Ikeda 1chomeParts remaining due to raidMarch 1730
79 Kasuga 3chomeStanding KsitigarbhaDouka
80 Hokubu machi Kamao, Inside wallStanding KsitigarbhaSeptember
81 Kamoto-gun Kikukacho, TeradaStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerSeptember 1730, Discovered in 1973
82 Senba machiStanding AvalokitesvaraDouka, Jizō festival observed
83 Uki city Matsubara machi, Seian TempleStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerDecember 1730, Discovered in 1986
84 Kawachi machi NodeStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerJanuary 1731, Discovered in 1983
85 Matsuo machi ChikazuStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerJanuary 1731
86 Shimasaki 2chomeSitting AmitabhaFebruary 1731
87 Kawashiri machi Oowatari ParkSitting AmitabhaMarch 1731, Discovered in 1982, Jizō festival observed
88 Takahashi machi Tensha ShrineStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerApril 1731
89 Tosaka machi Community CenterStanding 11-faced GuanyinMay 1731 with Douka
90 Ozawa machi Seifukuji TempleStanding Ksitigarbha with Khakkhara on the right hand and Globus cruciger on the left hand1731, the biggest among Hōgyū Jizōs
91 Ikegami choSitting AmitabhaJune 1731
92 Oe 4chome Korenori ShrineA mixture of Guanyin and KsitigarbhaMay 1731 with Douka
93 Ezu, Nakanose,Sitting Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerJuly 1731
94 Hokubucho OtsukaStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger1731 with Douka, Jizō festival observed
95 Toshima machi KitamukuSitting Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerSeptember 1731
96 Hokubucho AkinamazuGuanyin on the head part, and otherwise, standing AmitabhaOctober 1731 with Douka
97 Kawachi machi KuroishiSitting Ksitigarbha on rockDouka, Discovered in 1982
98 Kamimashiki-gun, Yabe machi UehataStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerNovember 1731, Jizō festival observed. Discovered in 1975
99 Ikegamicho, TaniozakiSitting AmitabhaNovember 1731 with Douka
100 Ikeda 2chome, Ojoin TempleSitting Ksitigarbha with Khakkhara on the right hand and Globus cruciger on the big stone lotus1732, The 100th statue with Douka
101 UndiscoveredUndiscoveredUndiscovered
102 Kawachi machi, Tomon TempleStanding Avalokitesvara over the neck and Amitabha under the neck April 1732 with Douka
103 Kamimashikigun, Kashima-machi Namazu, Koon TempleStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerApril 1732, Douka unclear, Discovered in 1974, Hougyu festival observed
104 Chikami-machiOnly footstone, which served two Hōgyū JizōsDiscovered in 1970
105 Hieda-machi, Hieda-kannondoStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerAugust 1732
106 Tsunoura-cho, Community CenterStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus crucigerSeptember 1732
107 Kamimashiki-gun, Mashiki-cho, Tanigo Community CenterStanding Ksitigarbha with Globus cruciger October 1732 with Douka
Others Kasugamachi and other placesVarious kinds of Hōgyū JizōsThere are 8 Hōgyū Jizōs without numbers, In one, 1726
Grave of Hōgyū Yokote 5 chomeSitting monk-shaped statue with Khakkhara on the right hand and Buddhist prayer beads on the left handDated November 8, 1732 by the builder of the grave. Discovered in 1938

Poems

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

  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

  • 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
  • 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
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