After the funeral of Empress Shotoku who died of illness in 770, Dokyo continued protecting the late Empress' mausoleum in the hope of a sheer chance, but on September 14, 770, Dokyo was appointed Zo Shimotsuke Yakushi-ji Betto (the chief of the constructing department of Shimotsuke Yakushi-ji Temple) and therefore sent to Shimotsuke Province, where he died and was buried as a commoner.
神護景雲4年（770年）に称徳天皇が病死するが、葬礼の後も僥倖を頼み称徳天皇の御陵を守っていたが、神護景雲4年8月21日（770年9月14日）、造下野薬師寺別当（下野国）を命ぜられて下向し、赴任地の下野国で没し庶人の待遇で葬られた。