sacred rock enclosure; ancient shrine site
Archaic term referring to a sacred space demarcated by rocks, used in ancient Shinto rituals before permanent shrine buildings became common. Found mainly in historical or mythological contexts.
The Kojiki records that the gods set up a sacred rock enclosure and performed rituals there.
Archaic term for a sacred rock enclosure used as a ritual site. The kanji 磐 suggests a large rock, and 境 a boundary or sacred area.
Variant spelling using 岩 (rock) instead of 磐. Both are rare and archaic.
Compound of 岩/磐 (iwa, 'rock') and 境 (saka, 'boundary'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is associated with early Shinto practices.