According to one theory, Ieyasu TOKUGAWA set the number of stations from Edo (Kanji characters with the same sound, 穢土, meaning unclean land) to Kyo (which means the land where Fugen Bosatsu (普賢菩薩) lives), based on a chapter from Kegon-kyo Sutra, in which Zenzai-doshi (善財童子) of 'Nyuhokkaibon (入法界品),' following the orders of Monju Bosatsu, achieved enlightenment at the place of Fugen Bosatsu, through 53 teachers.
一説によると、徳川家康は、華厳経の「入法界品」の善財童子が文殊菩薩の命により53人の師を経て普賢菩薩の所で悟りを開いたと言う一節から、江戸（穢土）から京（普賢菩薩の住まう所）への宿駅を五十三にしたと言われる。