DOSOJIN

The 'ancestors' of roads, also known assae no kamior dorokujin and often represented as an old couple. As kami of roads, borders, mountain passes and other 'transitional' spaces (seesae no kami) they protect the village against pestilence and disease as well as from spirits and travellers. The dosojin also take phallic forms (seeseishoku matsuri) and are associated with procreation and childbirth. They may be found enshrined in this form in dosojinjinja.