Shibarare Jizo (縛られ地蔵) is a wish-granting statue tied with straw rope, located at
Nanzo-in temple, Mizumoto, Katsushika city, Tokyo. Jizo statues are small stone statues of the Buddhist deity Jizo Bosatsu. They protect children and travelers. They wear a red knitted hat and bibs like Buddhist monks. Though I am not the follower of the beliefs moreover I went there with my full respect as a history, heritage, architecture and travel enthusiast.
Jizo statues can be found all over Japan. But because they are tied with many ropes, Shibarare Jizo statues are different from other Jizo statues.
Tied-Up Jizo Statue
There is an interesting story behind why people tie Jizo statues with ropes. During the Edo period, back to 18th century, a traveling merchant was resting under a Jizo statue. When he woke up, he realized that all his belongings had been stolen. He went to the magistrate of the time to ask for help. Hearing the incident, the magistrate Ōoka Tadasuke made a strange decision. Since there were no witnesses to the incident, he ordered the guards to tie the Jizo statue under which he was sleeping to a rope. And he said that watching a crime and not doing anything is also a crime. This strange incident attracted everyone’s attention and many people gathered in the magistrate’s office to see what happened. Then the magistrate asked to close the door so that no one could escape. There are some popular theories here. Theory 1- Entering the magistrate’s office without permission is a crime. Theory 2- The magistrate got angry because the crowd was laughing at this incident. Because whatever happened, everyone will now have to deposit a piece of cloth as a fine. Later, the traveling merchant found his own cloth among the deposited clothes and the thief was arrested. Since then, a rope was tied to the Jizo idol and it is believed that it gives relief from problems.
You make a wish with your whole heart, take a straw rope with a donation of 100 yen and tie it to the Jizo statue. If the wish is fulfilled, then you have to come back later and untie one rope. to put it in a wooden basket kept next to it. There are many ropes kept in the basket, which means many of the prayers and wishes have been fulfilled.
Stone Name Marker
At the entrance got the stone marker depicts 天台宗業平山南藏院" (Tendai sect, Narihira yama, Nanzoin temple) is renowned for tie-up Jizo statue. Also is part of Temple’s Name accommodation.
Entrance Gate
This is the entrance gate of the temple and is a ressembles of beautiful Japanese traditional architecture.
Fortune Well
The 'Power Spot ’ is a well considered as good fortune well. Get positive energy from it also well’s water purifies the belongings and grant wishes.
Daruma Doll
The Daruma Doll is a god luck charm and support. Doll has the name of Narihira-san and doll is also tied-up with a rope like shibare Jizo.
Purification Area
手水舎 (Chōzu-ya), Its a cleansing and purificatin ritual podium where dragon alike spout can be founded. On a stone basin, when pressed the paddle by feet water flows and using the ladles you can pour the water over hands.
Fortune and Good Wishing Bell
This is good wishing bell tower (鐘楼, shōrō) Donate 100yen and ring bell for once for good wishing, fortune.
Nanzoin Temple
Its a traditional japanese temple called Nanzoin temple where a bell rope is found infront of the door, usually used by devotes during the prayer.
Omikuji- Fortune Telling Note
Omikuji (おみくじ) is a fortune telling note, after paying offering 100yen, shake box and got your prayer stick and remember your number and put back the sfick. From ther drawer you can get specific number’s omikuji. If you get a good fortune take it with yours and be polite and careful about it. If you draw bad fortune you tie the omikuji with hanger and leave it of here.
Ema- A Wooden Plaque
Ema (絵馬, ‘picture-horse’) is a wooden plaques, drop the offering get the Ema, usually used for writing prayers or wish, tied up with small rope and hang them in wooden rack. If prayer come true then untie the Ema.
Success Cow
The successful cow is a stone cow statue, denotes as bearer for success, good fortune. Take a cow’s collar on 1000 yen and for children 500 yen, drape the collar on the neck of the cow, riding on the cow said to believe that it fulfilling the dream.
Mizuko-Kyo
The Jizo statue is also known as guardian deity of children. The stone faced Mizuko statue is represented the child who couldn’t be born and who have lost their babies during pregnancy. This Buddhist ceremony is called Mizuko kuyō (水子供養) Memorial Ceremony. Drop of 500 yen offerings and get the Mizuko’s Apron and drape on the Mizuko statue. With 500yen offering get a plush toy that made with cloth, can be customized with different facial expression and then hang on a wooden rack is a part of the ceremony.
Sacred 400 yr old Pine Tree
The pine tree is said to be over 450 years old. Long poles were artificially added to balance the tree so that it would not fall under its own weight. The pine tree is sacred tree. Its spreads the spiritual atmosphere.
At a Glance
The plum blossoms blooming its means spring is knocking at the door. A stubborn daruma can be found. There other side can be found Nazoin Temple permanent memorial Graveyard. Little Jizo statue also can be seen behind the Jizo hall.
Visit schedule-
Opening Hours - 9:00-16:00
Day- Every day open
Wheelchair accessible
Nearest Station
Kanamachi Station (JR Joban Line) and Keisie Kanamachi station (Keisei Kanamachi Line)
61 no. Bus departed from Kanamachi station to Shibarare Jizo stop. Then walk about 5 mins.
62 no Bus to Mizumoto park stop. Then walk 10 mins.
Thank you for bearing with me so long. Gratitude.
