noun
sacred rock where a deity dwells
Shinto term for a large rock or boulder believed to be the dwelling place of a kami. Often found in natural settings or shrine precincts.
神社の境内には、古くから磐座として崇められている大きな岩がある。
In the shrine grounds, there is a large rock that has been revered as an iwakura since ancient times.
Compound of 岩 (iwa, 'rock') and 座 (kura, 'seat' or 'dwelling'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is deeply rooted in Shinto tradition.