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And the symbolism is fully explained by a large wooden sotoba planted beside the shrine, and bearing, among other inscriptions, the words, 'Bato Kwan-ze-on Bosatsu, giu ba bodai han ye. For Bato-Kwannon protects the horses and the cattle of the peasant; and he prays her not only that his dumb servants may be preserved from sickness, but also that their spirits may enter after death, into a happier state of existence.
Then first were made those icons of Jizo, which still smile upon the traveller from every roadside, and the images of Koshin, protector of highways, with his three symbolic Apes, and the figure of that Bato-Kwannon, who protects the horses of the peasant, with other figures in whose rude but impressive art suggestions of Indian origin are yet recognizable.
Within smiles a rudely chiselled image of Bato-Kwannon Kwannon-with- the-Horse's-Head and before it bunches of wild flowers have been placed, and an earthen incense-cup, and scattered offerings of dry rice. Contrary to the idea suggested by the strange name, this form of Kwannon is not horse-headed; but the head of a horse is sculptured upon the tiara worn by the divinity.
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