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Dosojin of Hase Temple (Hasedera)

Safe Travels with Dōsojin

For many centuries, Japan has venerated Shinto and Buddhist crossroad deities or guardians of the road, known as dōsojin. These deities are believed to protect villages against bad omens and evil spirits as they stand guard over certain areas. Dōsojins are similar to Japan’s phallic stones placed at village boundaries to ensure the fertility of the land.Dosojin at Karuizawa, Nagano prefecture.

Dosojin at Karuizawa, Nagano prefecture. | 663highland

Dōsojin (道祖神), also known as Dōrokujin, Sae no Kami, or Sai ni Kami, are usually represented by male and female stone statues or stone markers with simple inscriptions. Shinto stone dōsojins are often enshrined in hokoras, small Shinto shrines along street corners, bridges, and village borders.

Dōsojin can also be revered as the deity (kami) of marriage and fertility and, in some localities, they are worshipped as the kami of trouble-free childbirth. Japan’s Fire Festivals, also known as dōsojin festivals, are held sometime in mid January each year for a bountiful harvest and good health.

Dosojin of Hase Temple (Hasedera)Traditional Buddhist stone markers have vague origins. Jizō Bosatsu is a well loved Japanese deity. When Jizō Bosatsu was introduced in India sometime in 500 B.C., he became known as the guardian of travelers and pilgrims.

Statues in his image and likeness were seen along pilgrimage routes and mountain paths from India to Southeast Asia. In modern Japan, groupings of six Jizō statues are a common sight standing guard at busy intersections and high roads. The groupings of statues represent the Six States of Karmic Rebirth in Buddhist traditions. Solitary Jizō figures guard some streets, as well.

Dosojin of Hase Temple (Hasedera).

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Read all about Japanese immersion learning and studying abroad. Check out our eZasshi archives for more articles!