Ojizosan with Mount Fuji – Ceramic Sculpture
 
This ceramic figure is inspired by Ojizosan (お地蔵さん), a beloved protector deity in Japanese culture. Traditionally known as the guardian of children, travelers, and lost souls, Ojizosan is often portrayed in a meditative pose with a calm, peaceful expression. In this piece, however, the facial expression is intentionally more joyful than serene — a warm, smiling presence meant to bring comfort and hope.
 
The figure’s hands are joined in prayer, holding juzu beads (Buddhist prayer beads), emphasizing Ojizosan’s spiritual role while creating a sense of playfulness and compassion. The Chinese character 「幸」 (Kō or Sachi) carved on the back represents “happiness” or “good fortune,” reinforcing the intention to offer peace and blessings to the viewer.
 
The back of the piece features Mount Fuji, one of Japan’s most iconic symbols. Fuji is more than a mountain — it is a sacred form of resilience, permanence, and spiritual aspiration. The surrounding seasonal trees painted on the robe connect the spiritual with the natural world, reflecting the passage of time and the cycle of life.
 
Each figure is handcrafted in stoneware, wheel-thrown with a hollow interior, then meticulously carved and hand-painted. Fired to cone 6 (2232°F), every Ojizosan sculpture is a unique, one-of-a-kind creation.
 
Mount Fuji Through the Seasons: Symbolic Shifts
 
• Spring Fuji – Surrounded by cherry blossoms, symbolizes renewal, rebirth, and hope.
• Summer Fuji (Red Fuji / Aka-Fuji) – A rare red glow seen in late summer mornings, represents strength, luck, and powerful energy.
• Autumn Fuji – Framed with turning leaves, evokes transformation, reflection, and beauty in change.
• Winter Fuji – Snow-capped, it stands for purity, stillness, endurance, and spiritual clarity.
 
Size: approx. 3.25” tall, 2" diameter, 4.2 oz
©Sumiyo Toribe