manga jizo
The Manga Jizo Bodhisattva Statue—Bonds of Creativity!
- A statue of the bodhisattva Jizo (Ksitigarbha) dedicated to Japanese manga or cartoons and called the Manga Jizo has been erected on the grounds of the 500-year-old temple Kongo-in. It is located 30 seconds’ walk from Shiina-machi, the terminal station near the location of the lodging house called Tokiwaso*, where many manga artists once lived.
- Called the birthplace of manga, Shiina-machi is a place where workers in all sorts of creative fields formed a network starting with individual points, joining in lines, and covering whole areas—from the circumference to circle. The statue of Manga Jizo symbolizes them and their relationships.
- The statue of the Manga Jizo is turned toward the place where Tokiwaso stood.
- The aureole behind the bodhisattva is in the shape of a G-pen nib.
- The patterns on the bodhisattva’s robes are onomatopoetic words found on cartoon paper and in cartoon bubbles.
- In one hand, Jizo holds a staff, called a shakujo symbolizing his wisdom. The shakujo of the Manga Jizo is in the shape of a pen.
- In the other he holds the Fruit of Wisdom, or the Wish-fulfilling Jewel (Nyoi Hoju).
- Faintly smiling and turning his face to the right, he regards the surroundings with profound caring.
- He imparts the blessing of creative power.
*Tokiwaso
The wooden lodging house Tokiwaso (1952–1982) was home to many such famous Japanese manga artists as Osamu Tezuka, Fujio Fujiko, Shotaro Ishimori, and Fujio Akatsuka.
manga jizo movie
