central pillar of a pagoda; shinbashira
Architectural term for the central wooden pillar that runs through a Japanese pagoda, often acting as a structural core.
A central pillar runs through the five-story pagoda of Hōryū-ji.
leader of the Tenri religion
Only when written 真柱
Specific title for the spiritual head of Tenrikyō, written with 真柱.
The Shinbashira is the central leader of the Tenrikyō faith.
Standard kanji spelling for the central pillar of a pagoda.
Used specifically for the leader of the Tenri religion.
Compound of 心 (shin, 'heart, center') and 柱 (hashira, 'pillar'). The reading しんばしら is a standard kun'yomi compound. The variant 真柱 uses 真 (shin, 'true') for the Tenrikyō title.