shintai
Spirit-housing sacred object
Shintai is a sacred object in Shinto believed to house a deity's spirit.
These objects—often mirrors, swords, jewels, or natural features like rocks and trees—serve as vessels through which a kami (god) can be approached and worshipped.
Shintai are typically kept in the innermost sanctuary of a shrine, unseen by ordinary visitors.
The object itself isn't worshipped; it's understood as a dwelling place or receptacle for divine presence.
Shinto sacred spirits
- shrineSacred devotional place
- deityWorshipped supernatural being
- vesselReceptacle for contents
- spiritSoul, mood, or liquor
dwelling · yorishiro · divine · embodiment · sanctified · enshrined · altar · worship
kami
Shinto sacred spirits
spirit · dwelling · yorishiro · divine · embodiment · sanctified · enshrined · altar · worship · consecrated
body
Physical structure, living thing
- corporealHaving physical existence
- fleshSoft body matter
- embodimentConcrete manifestation of idea
material · tangible · soma · incarnation · bodily · vessel · earthly · carnal · anatomy · physique
peak
Utmost height attained
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- worshipReligious reverence and praise
- pilgrimageReligious journey to shrine
landscape · nature · reverence · climbing · forbidden · restricted · boundary
shintaiicon
Pictorial screen symbol
idol · religious statue · cult image · effigy
- Shinto shrineJapanese spirit worship site
- Shinto priestJapanese shrine clergy