From Shitennoji-mae-Yuhigaoka station, hubby and I walked for about five minutes and reached a gate named Nakanomon. We entered the premises of Shitennoji Temple through this gate. The usual stone Torii Gate (West Gate) entrance of the temple was another five minute walk down the road. After entering Nakanomon Gate, we saw a Jizo-dou (Jizo hall) to the right side of the gate. Jizo bosatsu (Kṣhitigarbha bodhisattva in Sanskrit) is one of the most beloved of all Japanese divinities. Traditionally jizo bosatsu is the guardian of children who died before their parents. However, in modern Japan, jizo is worshipped as the guardian of the souls of stillborn, miscarried or aborted fetuses. Jizo bosatsu also serves the customary and traditional roles as patron saint of expectant mothers, children, firemen, travelers, pilgrims, and the protector of all beings caught in the six realms of reincarnation. We prayed in front of many jizo statues arranged beautifully on stands and a big jizo statue named Honzon Tatsue Jizo. Hubby lit incense sticks at a large cauldron incense burner.