KARITEIMO
or KISHIBOJIN
Skt. = Hariti. Before becoming a Buddhist goddess, Kariteimo was the mother of demons. She symbolizes the selfish nature of mothers who go to terrible lengths to protect their children. Kariteimo had hundreds of children. To feed them, she kidnapped the babies of others and fed them to her own. But, after the Historical Buddha hid one of her children, she came to understand the pain and suffering she had caused countless parents and children. She repented, embraced Buddhism, and became the guardian of children and "child-giving" goddess. Important to Nichiren sect. Details here.

Suijin or Suiten or Mizu no Kamisama. This Shinto deity of water, often a goddess, protects not only fishermen but also serves as the patron saint of fertility, motherhood, and easy childbirth. She is widely worshipped at "Suitengu" Shrines throughout Japan, and votive stone markers devoted to her can be found frequently in the countryside. The Suitengu Shrine in Kurume (Fukuoka) is the main shrine of all Suitengu Shrines in Japan, especially famous to those praying for safe and easy childbirth. Suiten is sometimes associated with Benzaiten, the Buddhist goddess of fine arts. For details, visit the Suijin Page

Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. Comes in many forms, and was originally male; Skt. = Avalokitesvara. The three feminine forms most closely associated with children and motherhood are the Juntei Kannon (Skt. = Cundi, the "mother of the Buddhas"), the Koyasu Kannon (child-giving Kannon), and the Jibo Kannon (loving-mother Kannon). These forms of the Kannon have been merged with or confused with Kariteimo (see left column), with  the Shinto deity Koyasu-sama (goddess of easy childbirth; see below) and with the Shinto water deity Suijin/Suiten (see middle column). For details on this merging, click here.

Asama Shrines
Sengen Shrines
óŠÔ_ŽĐ (‚š‚ń‚°‚ń)

SHINTO
ORIGIN

Koyasu-sama. Asama Shrines (also read "Sengen") are dedicated to the mythical princess Konohana Sakkuya Hime (also spelled Konohanasakuya; also known as Koyasu-sama), the Shinto deity of Mount Fuji, of cherry trees in bloom, and the goddess who grants easy childbirth. Legend contends she gave birth to a son while her house was devoured by flames. But after Buddhism gained a strong foothold in Japan, Koyasu-sama was largely supplanted by her Buddhist equivalents, known as Koyasu Kishibojin, Koyasu Kannon, Koyasu Jizo, and Jibo Kannon. For details on this Koyasu merging, please click here. Nonetheless, more than 1000 Sengen Shrines still exist across Japan, with the head shrines standing at the foot and the summit of Mount Fuji itself. For her associations with Suijin (the Shinto goddess of water and easy childbirth), please click here.
 

BUDDHIST ORIGIN

JIZO BOSATSU
Jizo is the guardian of souls in hell and a popular protector of children, for Jizo works to ease the suffering and shorten the sentence of children serving time in Sai no Kawara, the river of souls in purgatory. Children in this realm pray for Buddha's compassion by building small stone towers, piling stone upon stone. But an underworld demon soon arrives and scatters their stones and beats them with an iron club. No need to worry, though, for Jizo comes to the rescue. In one version of the story, Jizo hides the children in the sleeves of his robe. Two other forms of Jizo associated with children are Mizuko Jizo (protector of aborted children) and Koyasu Jizo (child-giving Jizo).
 

HINDU ORIGIN

Benzaiten (Skt. = Sarasvati)
Shinto Association: Kami Itsukushima Hime
The Buddhist goddess of music, poetry, learning, and art, also the goddess of the sea and protector of children. Benzaiten is sometimes associated with the Shinto deity Suijin/Suiten, the latter a goddess who protects fishermen and children. Both are closely associated with water (the ocean, rivers, lakes, and ponds). In Japan, Benzaiten is also closely associated with the dragon and snake. Enoshima island in Japan is of major importance to Benzaiten followers -- according to myth, she married a child-eating dragon who lived near here and was thus able, through her good influence, to put an end to the slaughter of little children. Their union gave birth to Enoshima island. She is worshipped widely in both Shinto and Buddhist traditions, and is the only female among Japan's Seven Lucky Gods.
 

Jibo Kannon
Modern Jibo Kannon Painting
Artist Shouou Harada
Text & Photo Courtesy treasureasia.com

Jibo Kannon is characterized with having love and sympathy toward all children and child-rearing mothers. As seen in this art, Jibo Kannon keeps a baby near her, protecting the baby and caring for it with lots of love. The tenderness of this Buddha is known to nurse healthy children, and also to soothe devastating feelings of mothers who have lost their loved children. In Japan, there are many sites with statues of Jibo Kannon, especially sites that celebrate newborn babies and motherhood. For other photos of Jibo Kannon, click here (outside link).

Editor's Note: Note yet sure about the origin of this deity. For a few more details, click here.

BUDDHIST ORIGIN

CHINESE ORIGIN

Shoki, the demon slayer. The story of Shoki was adopted from China, where he was known as Chung Kuei. During the Edo Period in Japan (1600-1868), families began to hang banners depicting Shoki inside and outside of their houses during the Boys' Day festival -- Tango no Sekku, May 5 each year, but now a festival for all children of both sexes. According to ancient tradition, this is a day when evil spirits and bad luck abounds. Images of Shoki ward off danger from the homes of families with male children. 
 

Hotei, one of Japan's Seven Lucky Gods, is sometimes shown in artwork with children playing at his feet. He carries a bag which never empties, from which he gives gifts to children and the worthy.

CHINESE ORIGIN
 

Modern statue
from India;
photo courtesy
www.buddhanet.net

Bindora
Bindorabaradaja (J) •o“x—…ć뗅‘Äč‹
Pindola Bharadraja (Skt)
The most widely revered of the Arhat (or Arakan) in Japan. Acts as a physician protector and watches over the health of infants. According to the Flammarion Iconographic Guide on Buddhism: "In Japan, statues of Pindola are usually well worn, since the faithful follow the custom of rubbing a part of the effigy corresponding to the sick parts of their bodies, for Bindora is reputed to have the gift of healing. He is also very frequently offered red and white bibs and children's caps to watch over the health of babies, so that his statue is often decked in rags."

BUDDHIST ORIGIN

HINDU ORIGIN

SENDAN KENDATSUBA
The warlike Sendan Kendatsuba uses his trident to skewer demons who attack children; origin from Indian mythology; a class of semi-divine beings who feed on the fragrance of herbs. They are also considered guardians of children. One of their kings, Sendan Kendatsuba, figures prominently in the Doujikyou Mandara. This deity is most prevalent among believers in Esoteric Buddhism. More details here.