Dōsojin Statue

The  is a round stone figure with a smiling face that appears in the beginning of the film Spirited Away directed by Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli. Don't be confused with Jizō Statue from My Neighbor Totoro.

Entrance
When Chihiro Ogino refused to go into the entrance, the statue's eerie appearance scared her into going in with her parents. The statue is shown as a woman with two faces. She wishes Chihiro good luck for her journey into the Spirit Realm. The statue is probably over 140 years old, based on her design.

Usage
Dōsojin Statues are also called Dōsoshin. They are often seen on entrance ways and borders to protect travelers and the local residents. The Jizō Statue is a special Dōsojin to protect children.

Dōsojin-Statue