/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>Eiki was not always the Yamaxanadu. According to Komachi in Oriental Sacred Place, she was originally a jizou statue, who received enough faith to gain divine powers, and was promoted.
>Jizou (地蔵), originally Ksitigarbha, is a bodhisattva revered in Buddhism with the appearance of a Buddhist monk. In Japan, he is seen as bodhisattva of the dead, guardian of children and patron deity of deceased young. He is also a guardian of travelers. Statues of him are commonly seen roadside or in cemeteries. These statues may be dressed in bibs and hankerchiefs or have childrens' toys such as pinwheels placed with them by visitors praying for their children. They are also prayed to by those wishing for safe travel.