noun
yorishiro; object housing a kami; spirit vessel
In Shinto, a physical object (tree, rock, pillar, animal, etc.) that serves as a temporary dwelling or medium for a kami or spirit. Often used in rituals and festivals.
神社のご神木は、神様の依代とされています。
The sacred tree at the shrine is considered a yorishiro for the deity.
祭りのとき、依代として大きな岩にしめ縄を張ります。
During the festival, a sacred rope is hung around a large rock as a yorishiro.
Compound of 依り (yori, continuative form of 依る 'to depend on, to be based on') + 代 (shiro, 'substitute, representative'). Literally 'a substitute to rely on', referring to an object that a spirit can temporarily occupy.