Dosojin Engraved Stone, Japanese Statue

Dosojin or Dōsojin (道祖神) are beloved Japanese Kami from the Shinto philosophy. It is believed that these friendly spirits protect passers-by while walking and serve to guard paths and boundaries. Dōsojin come in all sorts of different forms, such as carved stones, loose statues, and other ornaments. Often, the Kami are depicted as a human couple, which also symbolizes marriage and fertility.

Dōsojin statues can be found in many places in Japan. Small villages in the Japanese flatlands usually place them along the village boundary, on hiking trails, and in front of bridges. They are also often part of Hokora, which are small Japanese Shinto shrines along the road.