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.
The sacred tree at the shrine is considered a yorishiro for the deity.
During the festival, a sacred rope is hung around a large rock as a yorishiro.
御神体 is a more formal term for the sacred object of worship, often kept hidden; 依代 is broader and can be any object a spirit temporarily inhabits.
Standard kanji spelling in Shinto contexts.
Variant with okurigana; less common but still seen.
Alternate kanji emphasizing the 'possessing' aspect.
Rare variant with okurigana.
From 依る, here “to approach and possess,” and 代, “substitute or representative.” It denotes a material object serving as the temporary seat through which a deity or spirit manifests.