The characters warmly portrayed in these images by Kuroiwa Toyotaka are all Jizo (also written Jizô or Jizou - the final 'o' is long), a Buddhist character so widely revered in Japan that he has literally become part of the scenery. Stone statues can be seen everywhere, usually in rows, typically adorned with red bibs, and always seeming to smile.
Each of these pictures includes a little poem - illustrating the absence in Japanese artistic conventions of a sharp distinction between painting and calligraphy. I've attempted to give the flavour in a translation.
More background information on Jizo: Wikipedia article and Mark Schumacher's Buddhist corner
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Six stone figures of Jizô, the Buddhist Patron of children and travellers, adopt their various poses under an enormous spreading cherry tree, decorated with a haiku which reads (in my rough translation):
As we are
That's all right then
Everything OK
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The cherry blossoms appear luminous in the moonlit night (just like the real thing, actually)... and here the six Jizo figures are joined by a couple of attentive rabbits. Perhaps they are listening to the homily written above...
Michi ni mayottemo / jibun wo / shinjireba / kokoro no akari ga / miete kimasu
Even if you lose your way / believe in yourself / and the lantern of your heart will appear
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Code: E11138 (11-138 on box)
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The usual six figures of Jizô, looking very placid in summer surroundings - the nonbiri of the title means "taking it easy". Here's the haiku that appears over the bamboo grove:
Nonbiri / Nonbiri / Yume-gokochi
Taking it easy - easy - as in a dream
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Code: E11066 (11-066 on box)
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Around Japan there are a number of these "husband-and-wife" rocks, joined by a hemp rope, but this view appears to be of the most famous: at Ise, also famed for beautiful sunrises. The six Jizo figures have their usual quizzical expressions, as they bring us the message above...
Kokoro-ga kuraku nattemo / kanarazu asahi-wa /noborimasu / Odayaka-ni / awatezu-ni
Even if you're down at heart, the sun is sure to rise tomorrow - so stay calm, don't rush
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Code: E11178 (11-178 on box)
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Six Jizo figures stand alongside a little stream, supplying water to the paddyfields, in this peaceful rural scene.
Soyo-soyo-to / yawarakai kaze ni / mi wo makase / daijôbu / daijôbu
Gentle breeze, to which I submit my body / OK... OK...
... reads the poem in the sky, complete with quirkily prosaic ending.
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Hito mo hana mo / Jizô-san mo / minna nakayoku / dai-anshin
Humans, flowers, Jizo, all getting on together: perfect peace
The six Jizo figures here look very jovial indeed, in a field of flowers. "Peace of mind" is a rather clumsy translation of the anshin of the last line of the poem - it might also be "peace of the heart", and as if to confirm this, the figures are enveloped in a boldly drawn character kokoro ("heart").
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Six very nonchalant-looking Jizo figures are standing here in front of a famous view - the old bridge across the river at Arashiyama.
Isogi-sugizu / ganbari-sugizu / nonbiri / aruite ikimashou
Not rushing too much, not pushing too much, let's just plod gently on
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The six Jizo figures stand serenely by an old watermill...
Hogarakana / itsumo no / jibun de / daijôbu
My serene self as always... no worries!
Original title: Hogaraka Jizou
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Code: E26028 (26-028S on box)
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The pair of Jizo figures on their stone plinth are matched by a pair of bemused rabbits...
Shiawase wa / egao kara / hajimarimasu
Happiness starts with a smile
Original title: Nikoniko Jizou
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A pair of Jizo figures stand in the clouds, atop a dragon no less, with the auspicious red Mt Fuji in the background.
Sukoyaka-ni / odayaka-ni / antai de- / are
Be healthy, gentle, and tranquil
Original title: Sukoyaka Jizou
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Code: E26029 (26-029S on box)
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In a bamboo tunnel, a lone Jizo sits by an enormous bamboo shoot...
Kokoro ni / o-yasumi mo / taisetsu desu
The soul needs a rest, too
Original title: Yasuragi Jizou
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Kuroiwa Toyotaka
Toyotaka seal
The artist was born in Nagano in 1947, and specialises in Buddhist themes, with a distinctive whimsically warm style. (Kuroiwa is his family name - he signs his pictures with a stylised seal of his given name, Toyotaka.)
Deleted puzzles
For reference: you can view all the Kuroiwa puzzles that are out of print in the Attic.
This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.
