Dosojin (literally, "road ancestor deity") is a generic name for a type of Shinto kami popularly worshipped in Kanto 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. Also called Sae no kami or Sai no kami , Dorokujin or Shakujin (literally: "stone kami"). Dosojin are often represented as a human couple, carved male or female genitals, large stones or statues, or even tall poles along a road.