Statues of Zuijin are now often placed flanking shrine gates, similar to the Niō and Gozu and Mezu.
Yadaijin is one of the two deity statues in Zuijin (Imperial guards during the Heian period) costumes that are placed at the both sides of Zuijin-mon gate, holding bows and arrows on the observer's left.
However, he is not a Daijin (minister) but a Zuijin (attendant) called Kadono-osa (public officer).
Or it is said that the image of Yadaijin comes from Amenooshihi no Mikoto and Amatsukume no Mikoto in the lead, removing Amenoiwahagi (big rocks), holding Kabutsuchi-no-tachi (the ancient sword), 天波十弓 (bows), and 天真児矢 (arrows) at the time of Tensonkorin (the descent to earth of the grandson of the sun goddess).
The main difference between the two guardian deity statues is that Sadajin’s mouth is open, while Yadajin’s is closed.