We see them everywhere. Standing silently on the side of the road, overlooking tricky hiking trails, or enshrined in different places of worship. Jizo statues are present everywhere in Japan, dressed in their red knitted hats and bibs. Made to resemble a Buddhist monk, these stone statues are believed to be guardian deities of travelers and children.
In Tokyo, however, there are two such statues that stand out from the rest. That is, they are tied securely with a bunch of ropes.
The Story Behind the Bound Jizo Statue
There’s an amusing story as to why people began to tie this Jizo statue with ropes. This dates back to the Edo period when a traveling merchant stopped to take a rest under a jizo statue. Upon waking up, he realized his wares were stolen, so he hurried to then magistrate Ooda Tadasuke to seek help. Because there were no witnesses, the magistrate ordered the guards to tie the jizo statue up and bring it to him, saying that, “It’s a crime to witness a crime and do nothing.”
The absurd story quickly caught the attention of people, and soon enough, people gathered at the magistrate’s office to see what’s going on. As soon as a sizeable crowd has gathered, the magistrate ordered the doors to be locked so that no one could slip away.
This part of the story differs according to the source. One source says that when the crowd gathered, the magistrate told them that, “It’s a crime to enter the magistrate’s office without permission,” while another says that he got angry because the crowd laughed at the situation. Whatever the reason was, the magistrate demanded that they pay a swath of cloth as a fine. The merchant was then able to identify his wares from the swaths of cloths submitted and the thief was arrested.
From then on, people tied a rope to the Jizo statue, believing that it will help them get out of trouble, just as it did the merchant.
Shibarare Jizo of Nanzoin
Date Visited: December 19, 2020
Of the two locations of the Shibarare Jizo, Nanzoin is farther from the city center but offers a lot more to explore. The temple is located in Katsushika Ward, and the rope-tied jizo statue comes into view as soon as you enter from the front gate.
From the entrance, you can find a purifying station (chōzu) on the left where you could do the cleansing ritual. There’s also an incense burner before you get to the main hall (honden). Whenever I visit a place of worship, I always make sure I pay my respects first, even though I’m not a follower of the faith. So even if my main purpose is to take photos and videos of the jizo statue, I made sure to go to the main hall, throw coins, and bow as a sign of respect.
How to Tie a Rope around Shibarare Jizo
The Shibarare Jizo of Nanzoin stands on the left side, and on the day I went, it looked like a cocoon that’s about to burst with all the ropes that were tied around it. Pilgrims can slip a hundred yen coin into the altar, take a rope and say a prayer as they tie it around the jizo. You’re supposed to go back to the temple and untie one of the ropes once your wish has been granted. There’s a wooden bucket where you can place the loosened rope, and on the day I visited, I saw that the bucket was filled with a bunch of them. I’m glad to know some people’s prayers have been answered.
I didn’t really think of what to ask when I visited the temple, so I prayed for Tokyo Past 3’s success. How do you define success, though? I didn’t mention a specific KPI. (Then again, who does?) In any case, if I manage to double the monthly visits for the site, I’ll make sure to come back and untie a rope.
Success Cow and Friends
Success Cow Shibarare Jizo Ema Wooden Prayer Plaques Jizo & Rilakkuma Jizo: Guardian Deity of Children Plushies with faces Another Jizo A sign explaining Suiji Jizo Prayer sticks
Other than the bound jizo, Nanzoin also has different areas of interest. There’s a Jizo statue for the protection of children, a place where you can hang wooden prayer plaques with a unique Shibarare Jizo design as well as—for reasons that the Internet has not provided an answer for—Rilakkuma. Then there’s Success Cow, a cow statue that grants you success if you straddle it. Sadly, I became privy to this piece of information after I had already went. “Damn it, I didn’t straddle the cow,” was one sentence I didn’t think I’d utter in a lifetime.
How to Get to Nanzoin
Narihiarasan Nanzōin (業平山 南蔵院, なりひらさん なんぞういん)
09:00-16:00, Open all year round
15-minute walk or 6-minute bus ride from Kanamachi Station, JR Joban Line
Official Website (Japanese only)
From JR Kanamachi Station South Exit, take #61 bus for Togasaki Soshajo. Get off at Shibarare Jizo bus stop.
Shibarare Jizo of Rinsenji
November 9, 2019
Rinsenji in Bunkyo Ward holds the other Shibarare Jizo statue, and it is worshipped in the same manner as the one in Nanzoin. Rinsenji is smaller and more secluded in comparison. It felt a little bit awkward to take photos of the statue because it’s very close to the temple’s cemetery where people visit their loved ones’ graves.
Close-up of Shibarare Jizo 
Where you put in coins Other stone statues at Rinsenji
How to Get to Rinsenji
Rinsenji (林泉寺、りんせんじ)
09:00-17:00, Open all year round
3-minute walk from Myogadani Station
Official Website (Japanese Only)
