A Jizo statue in the middle of the road in Moka City, Tochigi Prefecture. (©Sankei by Masamichi Kirihara)
While driving through the rural and residential areas of Moka City in Tochigi Prefecture, I noticed what seemed to be a person standing right in the middle of the road. I approached the figure cautiously, only to realize it was a Jizo statue.
While stone statues like this are common in Japan, they are usually placed along roadsides to offer protection and guide the souls of the deceased. Finding one in the middle of the road, however, is definitely unusual.
The Curious History of the Jizo Statue
According to the book History of Ninomiya Town, this area was once part of a temple's approach path before the town was merged with Moka City. After the temple was abandoned in the 1800s, a new road was constructed, and the Jizo statue was relocated. However, following a series of misfortunes in the village, the statue was returned to its original position in 1847 — right in the middle of the road.
With a road width of about 5 meters (16 feet), vehicles have no choice but to slow down. Consequently, the Jizo statue also plays a role in enhancing traffic safety in the area.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Masamichi Kirihara, The Sankei Shimbun
