Kawaii Kyoto: small childlike statues

Sanzen-in Temple in Kyoto was originally established as a hermitage by the monk Saicho (767-822). It has a beautiful garden featuring moss and maples that contains a captivating collection of Warabe-jizo statues. 

Warabe-jizo statue at Kyoto’s Sanzen-in Temple

These diminutive stone figures are Buddhist statues of bodhisattva who look like children (“warabe” is an old word for child). They’re intended to grant prayers for safe pregnancy and birth, plus children’s health and protection. 

Their gentle expressions and serene demeanor evoke a sense of innocence and solace, fitting their status as the guardian spirits of children. There are dozens of them scattered around the moss-covered garden, waiting to be discovered as you stroll through the ancient trees. This one looks like he’s holding a cat!

That’s definitely a bird on his head.