Statue missing from airport

A statue is missing from the Pocatello Regional Airport. The statue is of Jizo Bosatsu, an “enlightened being known in East Asian cultures as a protector of travelers.”

According to a news release, the statue is of Jizo Bosatsu, an “enlightened being known in East Asian cultures as a protector of travelers.” The figure sat on a large rock representing Honshu, the largest island of Japan.

Airport and Pocatello Arts Council officials said they are both disappointed and perplexed, as the statue has little financial value. It does, however, have strong sentimental value.

It was donated to the garden by the Hugh and Mary Suenaga family and had been in the Kizuna Japanese Garden since the garden’s dedication in July of last year.

“Hugh’s maternal grandmother brought Jizo with her on the boat passage to America,” said airport manager David Allen.

Allen speculated that because the statue is heavy it must have meant a lot to her to travel so far with it. “It has tremendous sentimental value to Hugh and Mary, and they donated it to the garden because Jizo protects travelers and because the statue would serve the community in posterity,” Allen said.

The statue was stolen sometime between Aug. 16 and Aug. 21, the city said Thursday.

If you have information about the statue, contact Allen’s office at (208) 234-6154.

“Or better yet, Jizo can be returned to the airport administration office in the terminal during regular hours, no questions asked,” Allen said.