In onmyodo, it is said that Shakkojin (the guardian god of the east gate of the capital of Taisaijin [the god of Jupiter]) employs the eight fierce gods, and guards the gate by sending one of them in turn a day in a eight-day cycle.
陰陽道においては赤口神（太歳神の王都の東門の番神）が八鬼の鬼神を使役し、それを八日周期で一鬼ずつ遣わして守護せらるという。