Those who engaged in the temple chores had their hair hanging loose, were disheveled; and were like children wearing sandals, so they were called Doji (a child).
寺役に従事する者は結髪せず、長い髪を垂らしたいわゆる大童であり、履物も草履をはいた子供のような姿であったため童子と呼ばれた。