Jaycee Woods

I have a draft short story with the working title “Byoukondere Patient.” My short description of the story is “Dr Shohei Akamatsu agrees to marry his terminal patient Suzu, so she will not be neglected in the afterlife.”

The story did not start with that direction in mind. Instead, a young single woman, in the hospital with a terminal illness, confronts her own mortality when she had just crossed the threshold of adulthood. As her health declined, she had formed a friendly relationship with her doctor.

Instead of approaching the story from my own judgements or even a Western perspective, I wanted to give focus on a traditional Japanese perspective as a touchstone for the reader to encounter a foreign idea as a catalyst for their own individual and independent consideration of the choices and values involved.

As an option, I considered what if she got pregnant, so I asked Copilot about traditional Japanese perspectives on an unborn child who dies.

Q: In Japanese culture, do unborn child who die join the ancestors?

A: In Japanese culture, there is a traditional Buddhist ceremony called mizuko kuyō, which translates to “water child memorial service.” This ritual is practiced to grieve the loss of unborn children due to miscarriages, stillbirths, or even willful abortions. Here are some key points about this practice:

Belief and Purpose:

According to Buddhist belief, a baby who dies before birth cannot go to heaven because it never had the opportunity to accrue good karma.

These unborn children are sent to a place called sai no kawara on the banks of the mythical Sanzu River. There, they must endlessly stack stone towers to atone for the pain they caused their parents.

Jizo, a bodhisattva (enlightened being), serves as the guardian of these children. Jizo watches over them, protects them from demons, and helps them make the journey to paradise by smuggling them in his robe.

Jizo Statues:

Jizo statues are a common sight in Japanese temples, graveyards, and even along roadsides.

These stone statues are often clothed with tiny children’s clothing, typically red bibs and red caps.

Grieving parents leave toys, candy, and other offerings at the base of Jizo statues.

Some parents also erect little stone towers alongside the statues, hoping to lessen their children’s suffering while waiting for Jizo to deliver them to heaven.

Historical Context:

The mizuko kuyō tradition dates back centuries but gained prominence after World War II.

Acute poverty and the absence of a robust adoption system led many parents to terminate unwanted pregnancies, causing guilt and grief.

Mizuko kuyō emerged as a response to this dilemma.

Contemporary Practice:

Today, abortion is culturally and legally accepted in Japan, with over 300,000 abortions performed annually.

Mizuko kuyō continues to be practiced, both in temples across Japan and privately in people’s homes.

In summary, mizuko kuyō provides a way for mourning parents to honor their unborn children and ensure their safe passage to the other world through Jizo’s guardianship.

Q: That describes Buddhist beliefs, what about Shinto beliefs about the unborn who dies. Does its spirit join the ancestors?

A: In Shinto, death is not an absolute end but a transition to another state of existence, where spirits join the ancestral world of the Kami (the spirits of nature and ancestors). Here are some key points related to Shinto beliefs about the unborn and the afterlife:

Funeral Rituals:

Shinto funeral rituals include a purification ceremony (kesaikan), which ensures a peaceful passage for the deceased to the spiritual world.

Unlike Western funeral practices, Shinto burials emphasize respect and community spirit.

Ancestors in Shinto:

Ancestors play a central role in the lives of the living.

They protect and guide their descendants.

Shinto households venerate and commemorate ancestors.

Continuous Life Cycle:

Shinto celebrates each stage of life, reflecting a deep-rooted belief in an eternal cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Annual festivals, such as Shichi-Go-San and O-Bon, strengthen family and community ties.

In summary, Shinto views death as a transition, and spirits do indeed join the ancestral world of the Kami.

Q: So, are you saying that in Shinto beliefs deceased unborn children are treated as full persons in death?

In Shinto beliefs, the treatment of deceased unborn children is nuanced. While they are not necessarily considered full persons in the same way as adults, they are still acknowledged and respected as part of the ancestral lineage. Here are some key points:

Ancestral Connection:

Shinto emphasizes the continuity of life and the interconnectedness of generations.

Unborn children are seen as part of this lineage, even if they did not experience life outside the womb.

Spiritual Transition:

Shinto views death as a transition rather than an absolute end.

The spirit (or tamashii) of the deceased is believed to continue its existence in the spiritual world.

Rituals and Offerings:

Families may perform rituals to honor unborn children, especially those lost due to miscarriage or stillbirth.

Offerings are made at household altars or Shinto shrines to ensure a peaceful passage for the spirits.

Community and Ancestors:

Ancestors play a protective role in Shinto beliefs.

The spirits of unborn children join this ancestral community, where they receive care and guidance.

In summary, while unborn children are not treated as fully developed individuals, they are recognized within the broader context of family and ancestral connections in Shinto beliefs.

Q: In a fictional story, if a pregnant woman died as did the unborn child, would it contradict Shinto beliefs to hold that the deceased mother and unborn child would be together in the afterlife?

In a fictional context, Shinto beliefs can be flexible and open to interpretation. While there are no strict rules, it would not necessarily contradict Shinto principles for the deceased mother and unborn child to be together in the afterlife. Shinto emphasizes continuity, interconnectedness, and reverence for ancestors. Thus, portraying their reunion could align with these core beliefs.