Dosojin are also known as road kami, which are nature spirits that may be better considered as natural occurrences of energy. They are thought to be the protectors of roads. More specifically, they are the protective spirits of borders. They are often represented in Japan as stone markers in which kami dwell. As such, they guard borders and protect travelers from unclean energy by deflecting negative energy and preventing bad encounters.

“Dosojin Kami” by Liftarn

Given their border guarding status, Dosojin are also generally believed to protect beings at thresholds or those otherwise in transitional stages. For this reason, they are often thought to protect the child birthing process and are often associated with fertility and marriage, which domesticates the otherwise more potent understanding of Dosojin as guardians of thresholds.

Ptown Garden Dosojin

As guardians of liminal spaces, I cannot think of a better kami to accompany these posts on Shinto.