Guardian of the Sea: Jizo in Hawaii (Latitude 20 Books (Paperback))

Jizo, one of the most beloved Buddhist deities in Japan, is known primarily as the guardian of children and travelers. In coastal areas, fishermen and swimmers also look to him for protection. Soon after their arrival in the late 1800s, issei (first-generation Japanese) shoreline fishermen began casting for ulua on Hawa`I's treacherous sea cliffs, where they risked being swept off the rocky ledges. In response to numerous drownings, Jizo statues were erected near dangerous fishing and swimming sites, including popular Bamboo Ridge, near the Blowhole in Hawai`i Kai; Kawaih?pai Bay in Mokul?`ia; and Kawailoa Beach in Hale`iwa. Guardian of the Sea tells the story of a compassionate group of men who raised these statues as a service to their communities. Written by an authority on Hawai`i's beaches and water safety, Guardian of the Sea shines a light on a little-known facet of Hawai`I's past. It incorporates valuable firsthand accounts taken from interviews with nisei (second generation) fishermen and residents and articles from Japanese-language newspapers dating as far back as the early 1900s. In addition to background information on Jizo as a guardian deity and historical details on Jizo statues in Hawai`i, the author discusses shorecasting techniques and organizations, which once played a key role in the lives of local Japanese. Although shorecasting today is done more for sport than subsistence, it remains an important ocean activity in the islands. In examining Jizo and the lives of issei, Guardian of the Sea makes a significant contribution to our understanding of recent Hawai`i history. Jizo, one of the most beloved Buddhist deities in Japan, is known primarily as the guardian of children and travelers. In coastal areas, fishermen and swimmers also look to him for protection. Soon after their arrival in the late 1800s, issei (first-generation Japanese) shoreline fishermen began casting for ulua on Hawai‘i's treacherous sea cliffs, where they risked being swept off the rocky ledges. In response to numerous drownings, Jizo statues were erected near dangerous fishing and swimming sites, including popular Bamboo Ridge, near the Blowhole in Hawai‘i Kai; Kawaihapai Bay in Mokule‘ia; and Kawailoa Beach in Hale‘iwa. Guardian of the Sea tells the story of a compassionate group of men who raised these statues as a service to their communities.Written by an authority on Hawai‘i's beaches and water safety, Guardian of the Sea shines a light on a little-known facet of Hawai‘i's past. It incorporates valuable firsthand accounts taken from interviews with nisei (second-generation) fishermen and residents and articles from Japanese language newspapers dating as far back as the early 1900s. In addition to background information on Jizo as a guardian deity and historical details on Jizo statues in Hawai‘i, the author discusses shorecasting techniques and organizations, which once played a key role in the lives of local Japanese. Although shorecasting today is done more for sport than subsistence, it remains an important ocean activity in the Islands.In examining Jizo and the lives of issei, Guardian of the Sea makes a significant contribution to our understanding of recent Hawai‘i history. Jizo, one of the most beloved Buddhist deities in Japan, is known primarily as the guardian of children and travelers. In coastal areas, fishermen and swimmers also look to him for protection. Soon after their arrival in the late 1800s, issei (first-generation Japanese) shoreline fishermen began casting for ulua on Hawaiis treacherous sea cliffs, where they risked being swept off the rocky ledges. In response to numerous drownings, Jizo statues were erected near dangerous fishing and swimming sites, including popular Bamboo Ridge, near the Blowhole in Hawaii Kai; Kawaihapai Bay in Mokuleia; and Kawailoa Beach in Haleiwa. Guardian of the Sea tells the story of a compassionate group of men who raised these statues as a service to their communities. Written by an authority on Hawaiis beaches and water safety, Guardian of the Sea shines a light on a little-known facet of Hawaiis past. It incorporates valuable firsthand accounts taken from interviews with nisei (second-generation) fishermen and residents and articles from Japanese language newspapers dating as far back as the early 1900s. In addition to background information on Jizo as a guardian deity and historical details on Jizo statues in Hawaii, the author discusses shorecasting techniques and organizations, which once played a key role in the lives of local Japanese. Although shorecasting today is done more for sport than subsistence, it remains an important ocean activity in the Islands. In examining Jizo and the lives of issei , Guardian of the Sea makes a significant contribution to our understanding of recent Hawaii history. Casting For Ulua -- Stores, Clubs, And Tournaments -- Jizo The Protector -- Jizo On O'ahu -- Jizo On Kaua'i -- Jizo On Maui -- Jizo On Moloka'i -- Jizo On Lāna'i -- Jizo On Hawai'i (the Big Island) -- Jizo And Ebisu -- Jizo In Japan As A Guardian Of The Sea -- Jizo On The North Shore -- Kawaihāpai Jizo -- Kawailoa Jizo -- Wahiawā Kawamori Jizo -- Wahiawā Ryusenji Soto Mission -- Hale'iwa Jizo -- Warning Signs -- Honolulu Japanese Casting Club -- Zensaku Uchibori -- Jizo On The South Shore -- Statue Ordered -- Statue Erected -- Statue Destroyed -- Statue Replaced -- Sentaro Otsubo -- Pālolo Kwannon Temple -- Pilgrimages -- Eighty-eight Temples Of Shikoku, Japan -- Lāwa'i International Center, Kaua'i -- Waimea Shingon Mission, Kaua'i -- Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission, Big Island -- Shingon Shu Hawai'i, O'ahu -- Hichi Kasho Meguri, O'ahu -- Hawai'i Jizo Meguri, O'ahu -- Drownings In Hawaii. John R.k. Clark. A Latitude 20 Book. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [177]-186) And Index. Casting for Ulua Stores, clubs, and tournaments Jizo the protector Jizo in Japan Jizo on Oahu Jizo on Kauai Jizo on Maui Jizo on Molokai Jizo on Länai Jizo on the Big Island Jizo and Ebisu Jizo in Japan as a guardian of the sea Jizo on the north shore Waialua Sugar Company Kawaihäpai Jizo Kawailoa Jizo Wahiawä Kawamori Jizo Wahiawä Ryusenji Soto Mission Haleiwa Jizo Warning signs Honolulu Japanese Casting Club Zensaku Uchibori Jizo on the south shore Statue ordered Statue erected Statue destroyed Statue replaced Sentaro Otsubo Pälolo Kwannon Temple Pilgrimages Temples of Shikoku, Japan Läwai International Center, Kauai Waimea Shingon Mission, Kauai Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission, Big Island Shingon Shu Hawaii, Oahu Hichi Kasho Meguri, Oahu Hawaii Jizo Meguri, Oahu Drownings in Hawaii. In coastal areas, fishermen and swimmers also look to Jizo, one of the Buddhist deities in Japan for protection. In response to numerous drownings, Jizo statues were erected near dangerous fishing and swimming sites. This book tells the story of a group of men who raised these statues as a service to their communities.