Jizo (womb of the earth), as they are called, are made in the image of Jizo Bosatsu, guardian deity of children and travellers. The statues are believed to be protectors of children and unborn babies in traditional Japanese Buddhist teachings. It is believed that as the babies did not have the chance to build up good karma on earth, Jizo helps smuggle the children into the afterlife in the sleeves of his robe.