In Photos: 10,000 Buddhas guarding children of Akita Prefecture

More than 12,000 Jizo Bosatsu statues are seen enshrined in the Buddhist chapel known as "Shinzan no mantaibutsu," in the Akita Prefecture city of Oga on April 17, 2021. (Satoshi Takahashi)

The walls of a Buddhist chapel known as "Shinzan no mantaibutsu" are seen packed with Jizo Bosatsu statues, in the Akita Prefecture city of Oga on April 17, 2021. (Satoshi Takahashi)

A Jizo Bosatsu statue is seen with tied straws that fell from the outfit of a "namahage" demon, in the hope of children's well-being, at the Buddhist chapel known as "Shinzan no mantaibutsu," in the Akita Prefecture city of Oga on April 17, 2021. (Satoshi Takahashi)

The Jizo Bosatsu statues that have been worshipped for generations are seen at the Buddhist chapel known as "Shinzan no mantaibutsu," in the Akita Prefecture city of Oga on April 17, 2021. (Satoshi Takahashi)

Enshrined Jizo Bosatsu statues pack the walls up to the ceiling at the Buddhist chapel known as "Shinzan no mantaibutsu," in the Akita Prefecture city of Oga on April 17, 2021. (Satoshi Takahashi)

The Buddhist chapel known as the "Shinzan no mantaibutsu," where more than 12,000 Jizo Bosatsu are enshrined, is seen in the Akita Prefecture city of Oga on May 15, 2021. (Satoshi Takahashi)