19TH C. JAPANESE JIZO STONE

Jizo is a much beloved Boddhisatva in Japan, Korea, and China, who is a protector of children, women, and travelers.  For that reason you often see them placed near the road (also in gardens, and around the house).  He is also known to help those who are struggling with a life problem or physical affliction.He is often portrayed as a monk, in simple garb, and usually holding a staff of six rings, and/or the jewel of the Dharma.  As you would expect, these are stones, and quite heavy.  Please take this into account in terms of shipping.

This is an uncommon depiction of a seated Jizo in a hard, heavy stone, perhaps andesite, height of 18" (45 cm), approximate weight 32 kg, late-Edo/early-Meiji. Virtually pristine condition. The two characters incised below the figure read "Yamaguchi" (mountain mouth, literally), a fairly common Japanese family name. A strong, elegantly sculpted piece.