Series 'Go for it! Shige-san 15' - Dumplings and the Jizo Statue

Dumplings and the Jizo Statue

After I got married, I stopped helping out at the shop and
started a household in a different area.

So, I didn't see Shige-san on a daily basis anymore, but
instead, we would see each other at relatives' weddings and funerals.

This happened when Shige-san's older brother passed away, a few years after my wedding.

Shige-san's family home was in the countryside of northern Kanto, and
since it was a hassle for relatives to gather,
the funeral, the first seven-day memorial, and the burial were all held on the same day.

After the funeral, we went to the crematorium, returned home once to finish the first seven-day memorial, and
from there, all the relatives walked in a line to the graveyard.

Each relative carried the necessary items.
The remains, incense, candles, flowers, a ladle, water...
Among them, the most unusual items were
a heaping pile of dumplings and chopsticks.

It seemed to be a local custom that the relatives eat the dumplings together so that the departed soul wouldn't go hungry on their journey.

While chatting along the way, we arrived at the graveyard, and
one by one, we lit incense and made our offerings.

While waiting in line,

suddenly,
“Oh, we should offer some dumplings to the Jizo statue at the entrance of the graveyard too!”
I said, trying to act like a thoughtful woman, and

Shige-san replied nonchalantly,
“I already gave him some.”

Oh, really! They weren't there a moment ago...
I went to check on the Jizo statue and was absolutely stunned!

My goodness, oh my, oh my, oh my!!!!

On the Jizo statue's mouth, and of all places, its 'forehead',
a pure white dumpling was stuck to each one!

She must have pressed them on firmly.
The dumplings were stuck there without falling off.

As for the mouth, it looked like it was being forced to hold it!

I rushed back to the grave in a panic and
told Shige-san, “The dumplings were stuck on it!”

“That’s the best way,” Shige-san said confidently,
looking somewhat cheerful.

(No, I’ll concede the mouth, but what is the meaning of the forehead?
Is it eating from its third eye? No, isn't it disrespectful to shove them on like that??)
I retorted fiercely in my mind.

But such retorts don't work on Shige-san, do they.

While muttering that to myself, I wondered if the relatives were already used to Shige-san like that.
They didn't seem too surprised,

and an atmosphere of
(Oh, Shige is doing it again)prevailed.

I tried to organize a 'Jizo Statue Dumpling Tour', but
unfortunately, only the children followed me.

-----
Ever since then, whenever something difficult happens,
I remember that Jizo statue with the pure white dumplings pressed onto its forehead and mouth,
and I always end up smiling.

The Jizo dumpling incident continues to reign as the king of episodes among the many stories left behind by Shige-san.

To be continued in 16

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