Deity of shinbutsu shūgō (kami–buddha syncretism)
Aka Dōji
赤童子
Aka Dōji is a youthful figure interpreted as a form in which Kasuga Myōjin appeared to protect the Buddhist teaching, or as a form of Kasuga Wakamiya. The Tokyo National Museum describes the image as derived from Seitaka Dōji, an attendant of Fudō Myōō. It is a figure that shows a faith in which kami and buddhas are joined.
This introduction is based on materials from Shōhōin (Tobi Fudō). It is summarized within the scope of the beliefs and traditions those materials convey, and does not present explanations or customs common to all schools, shrines, and temples.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
The kami of Kasuga appearing as a youth
Aka Dōji is a youthful figure interpreted as a form in which Kasuga Myōjin appeared to protect the Buddhist teaching, or as a form of Kasuga Wakamiya. The Tokyo National Museum describes the image as derived from Seitaka Dōji, an attendant of Fudō Myōō. It is a figure that shows a faith in which kami and buddhas are joined.
Source: 東京国立博物館／文化遺産オンライン
The tradition that Aka Dōji guarded Toyotomi Hidenaga in his illness
Kasuga Taisha explains that the diary of a shrine priest from Tenshō 18 contains an entry saying that Kasuga Myōjin, in the form of Aka Dōji, protected Toyotomi Hidenaga while he was ill. It is a record showing that the wish for Aka Dōji's protection also appeared in the faith of people in history.
Source: 春日大社
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：赤童子」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：目次」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 東京国立博物館／文化遺産オンライン「春日赤童子像」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 春日大社「競馬図屏風と馬の美術／豊臣家と春日大社」（2026-10-15 確認）