A koshinto or koshinzuka is a monument or pillar often erected at the entrance to a village to protect it frome pidemics and calamities.
Koshin is a folk belief with Taoist origins dating back to the HeianPeriod (794-1185). According to the ancient sexagenary calendar, every60th day was koshin day.
It was believed that while everybody slept during the night of this day, the Sanshi (three worms or entities) inside the body would escape and ascend to report the sins of the person to the Celestial Gods, eventually shortening their lifespan.
It developed into a faith under which believers would stay up all night to prevent this.
