He then added that Shoho Shichiro was Goho Zenjin (deity protecting dharma) who accompanied Dogen osho (high priest) in the shape of an albino Japanese rat snake when he was returning to Japan, and Shoho Shichiro might refer to Tao Hong-jing; and also said it was doubtful that Shoho Shichiro was the same god as Daigen shuri, although many people supported this theory.
さらに、招宝七郎とは道元和尚が帰国する際に、白蛇に化けて随伴し来たった護法善神で、陶弘景のことを指すのではないか、と可考した上で、大権修利と同体であると言う者も多いが疑わしい、と疑義を呈している。