Questions about Buddha statues

Hello,

I just got to spend two weeks in Japan and had a wonderful time -- such a beautiful place! But I was curious about a couple things, and haven't been able to find answers yet online. Forgive my ignorance.

Some of the shrine areas we visited had large collections of small Buddha statues nearby that appeared to have been placed there by various people. Some were so old they were wearing away, some were new. Can anyone tell me what these are for, and who puts them there? I'm thinking of a particular hillside -- in Kyoto, I think -- that was just covered with them, but I'm blanking on the name of the shrine (we did a lot of traveling!)

Many of the statues we saw were also draped in small red or patterned cloths that looked something like aprons. Can someone tell me what these are called, what they are for or symbolize, and who places them on the statues?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

They are not statues of Buddha, but of Ojizō-sama. My understanding is that the small ones are erected for miscarriages and stillbirths. At the Okunoin graveyard in Koyasan there were literally pyramids of them.

http://hoshisato.aminus3.com/image/2009-11-22.html

Google search jizo, ojizo, ojizosan, ojizosama.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ksitigarbha
Some red bibs may be placed as the prayer for still born or aborted babies.
Here are Kyoto Jyozenji temple ojizosan pics.
http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/jizo/index.html

Thank you all for your help!