Considerations on the transformation of the position of Jizo in Kyoto by analyzing newspaper articles

• Main Authors: Yasushi Takeuchi, Norio Maki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2021-04-01
• Series: Japan Architectural Review
• Subjects: Jizo; position of Jizo; Jizo‐bon festival; newspaper articles; Kyoto
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1002/2475-8876.12213

Abstract This paper clarifies the transformation of the social position of Jizo by analyzing newspaper articles and photographs of Jizo and Jizo‐bon festival from the early modern period to today and shows that the number of articles increased four times during this period. In addition, it clarifies the changes in the physical position of Jizo not only in terms of the festival but also in general situations. Furthermore, this paper indicates that the elements of the festival started being transformed from the long‐term setting materials into short‐term ones, and this transformation period overlapped with the decades ranging from 1955 to 1984.