Dōsojin

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Kantō and neighboring areas in Japan where, as tutelary deities of borders and paths, they are believed to protect travellers, pilgrims, villages, and individuals in "transitional stages" from epidemics and evil spirits.[1][2][3]
Also called Sae no kami or Sai no kami (障の神・塞の神), Dōrokujin (道陸神) or Shakujin (石神, literally: "stone kami"). Dōsojin are often represented as a human couple, carved male or female genitals, large stones or statues, or even tall poles along a road.

Dōsojin are sometimes housed in small roadside Shinto shrines called hokora.[4] In rural areas Dōsojin can be found at village boundaries, in mountain passes, or along byways, and in urban areas they can be seen at street corners or near bridges.[3] When shaped like a phallus, they are associated with birth, procreation, and marital harmony.[5] When represented as a human couple, Dōsojin are revered as deities of boundaries, marriage, fertility and protection.[3]

The Dōsojin is on the left

History

The origin of Dōsojin stone markers is uncertain and has no exact date. It is known, however, that after Buddhism was introduced,

Jizō became a tutelary god of travelers and pilgrims.[3]

Important dōsojin

Sae no Kami

In modern times, Dōsojin have become fused in popular belief with a different deity having similar characteristics called "Sae no kami",

Jizō, the bodhisattva who is the protector of children.[5]

Roku Jizō

Jizō

Jizō is the Japanese version of

shinbutsu shūgō). Originally from India, in Japan he was given new attributes and has become the guardian of children, expecting mothers, firemen, travelers, pilgrims, and unborn, aborted, or miscarried children. He is depicted as a plain monk, sometimes holding his shakujō (錫杖, six-ring staff) in one hand and the hōjunotama (宝珠の玉, wish-granting jewel) in the other.[7] Statues of Jizō can be found along mountain passes or harrowing roads in Japan, often dressed in red, sometimes white, caps and bibs by distressed parents.[7][8]
Small stones are frequently piled in front of a Jizō statue, a tradition believed to relieve a child of their penance.

Jizō statues commonly appear in groupings of six, called Roku Jizō.

Japanese folktale Kasa Jizō.[10]

Chimata no Kami

Chimata-no-kami (岐の神, god of crossroads), according to the

Sarutahiko.[11] Chimata-no-kami symbols can be found at crossroads, perhaps because of the deity being associating with joining, and some famous onsens, to cure sexual or fertility issues.[8]

Batō Kannon

Batō Kannon is the bodhisattva of compassion and keeps a watchful eye over the animal state of Karmic Rebirth. Atop Batō Kannon's head rests a horse's head.[12] Stone statues of this deity can be found beside perilous paths and byways, like Jizō statues, in northern Japan. However, Dosojin in Batō Kannon's form not only protect travelers, but their horses as well.[3]

Worship

Every January 15 in the village of

yōkai, and ensure blissful marriages. The day prior to the Dosojin Matsuri, a hundred or so residents of Nozawaonsen construct a shaden. Meanwhile, across the glade are two wooden poles that represent a human couple, the village's version of Dōsojin. On the day of the festival the shaden is burned in a scuffle between men ages twenty-five and forty-two—considered unlucky ages for men in Japan—and the rest of the villagers who bear reed torches. As the shaden burns, the village men of forty-two years sing to the Dōsojin. The men ages twenty-five and forty-two play a key role in the festival to attain the protection of the Dōsojin, so that the misfortune brought about by their ages will be nullified.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ Kawamura, Kunimitsu: "Dōsojin". Encyclopedia of Shinto, Kokugakuin University, retrieved on June 30, 2011
  2. ^ a b c d Iwanami Kōjien (広辞苑) Japanese dictionary, 6th Edition (2008), DVD version. "Sae no kami" and "Dōsojin"
  3. ^ a b c d e "Dosojin - Japanese Protective Stone Statues Safeguarding the Village, Warding Off Evil, and Ensuring Propagation of Community". www.onmarkproductions.com. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  4. ISBN 978-0-7007-1051-5
    .
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7007-1051-5
    .
  6. ^ Irons, Edward (2008). Encyclopedia of Buddhism - Ksitigarbha. Facts on File.
  7. ^ a b "Jizo Bodhisattva (Bosatsu), Ksitigarbha, Savior from Torments of Hell, Patron of Expectant Mothers. Protector of Children & Aborted Souls, Others". www.onmarkproductions.com. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  8. ^
    ISBN 1-57607-468-4
    .
  9. ^ Schumacher, Mark (26 April 2019). "Dōsojin 道祖神 (Dōsojin, Dousojin) Protective Stone Markers Both Shintō & Buddhist". On Mark Productions. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  10. ^ "Hats For The Jizos" (PDF). Kamishibai. 30 April 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 January 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  11. ^ Nakayama, Kaoru: "Chimata no kami". Encyclopedia of Shinto, Kokugakuin University, retrieved on June 30, 2011
  12. ^ "Bato Kannon". Cleveland Museum of Art. 29 April 2019. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  13. ^ "Nozawa Fire Festival | Nagano Attractions | Japan Travel | JNTO |". Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). Retrieved 2019-05-02.

External links

  • Media related to Dōsojin at Wikimedia Commons
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