The statues are said to be able to commune with the six realms of hell, beasts, starvation, carnage, human beings and divine beings.

Rokujizo (Six Jizo) Statues outside the Sanmon Gate at Zenkoji Temple in Nagano, Japan. © 2015 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

Shot with Mamiya 6 and 50mm f/4 lens on Fujicolor Pro 160 NS medium-format film.
Scanned by Carmencita Film Lab.

写真の撮影場所：長野市・善光寺

The statues can be seen from a different angle in the monochrome photo below:

Touring Zenkoji Temple, Nagano, Japan

Touring Zenkoji Temple, Nagano, Japan

In front of Rokujizō (Six Jizo) Statues, a priest is giving a guided tour of Zenkōji Temple in Nagano, Japan.

Norbert Woehnl 📷
Touring Zenkoji Temple, Nagano, Japan