In most folklore, the crossroads are the meeting place for vampires, demons, witches and other spooky characters. But in Japanese folklore, the Dosojin is a guardian to the crossroads. Like fairies or jinns, there isn’t just one type of Dosojin, but a variety of spirits who govern roadways and crossroads. These spirits help lost and weary travelers find their way back on track. Shrines and statues are placed at such intersections to honor them. Even today, statues are placed at busy modern intersections to protect pedestrians trying to make their way home.
The Dosojin also protect and help with marriage, pregnancy, and childbirth. Sometimes they are depicted as an old married couple, linking them with fertility and a happy marriage. And so it goes.