LOFT Dōsojin

In feudal Japanese culture, there were several popular deities that benefited commonfolk, such as Inari and Jizo. As a rule, they continue to be almost as popular to this day, and statues of them can be found anywhere in the country. Dōsojin is an example of such a folk god, though it is more of a generic, collective term rather than an individual deity.

Traditionally, a statue of Dōsojin was placed on the edge of a village so that it would ward off evil and sickness from entering. It was later syncretized and identified with other deities, incorporating their elements and becoming even more beneficial. Sometimes people would pray to them for children's health, en-musubi (good relationships), and safe travels.

In Japan, such gods may be found even in the heart of a metropolis, in Tokyo's most modern and crowded district of Shibuya. One of the most popular department stores in the city, LOFT stands along a gentle slope called Masaka, its seven floors packed with millions of lifestyle-oriented items.

In front of Shibuya LOFT at the bottom of the Masaka slope stands a Dōsojin sculpture in the form of a little married couple, with calm smiles on their faces. Interestingly, its origins are unclear; while some claim that it stands on the site of an older Buddha statue, others say that it was erected by LOFT in hopes that it would bring in more customers. Either way, this Dōsojin serves as a tender reminder that Japan always finds a way to incorporate its folk mythology into modern culture.