鬼子母神 Kishibojin (Hārītī), unknown maker from Japan

Exhibition Label: "Nature/Natural," Jul-2014, Kris Ercums Women played a significant role in the reception and development of Buddhism in East Asian countries. Ever since Buddhism, a foreign religion from India, arrived in China, Korea, and Japan, women have been among the most ardent believers and patrons of Buddhism, disseminating the faith and sponsoring the creation of Buddhist temples, sculptures, paintings, and scriptures. The objects displayed in this case are the fruition of women’s prayers for pregnancy, safe birth, and the healthy growth of their children. As guardians of women and their children, these Buddhist deities were revered by female Buddhist practitioners. For example, in Japan Jizō was known to protect children who died before their parents, and since the 1980s has been worshipped as the guardian of mizuko, the souls of stillborn, miscarried or aborted fetuses. Exhibition Label: "Compassionate Beings: Japanese Buddhist Art," Sep-2009, Kris Ercums Kishibojin was originally a cannibalistic demon who abducted children. The historic Buddha is said to have disuaged her from these evil ways and converted her to Buddhism. She is commonly worshiped as a goddess who protects children and promotes general harmony in the family.