noun
shintai; sacred object of worship
In Shinto, a physical object (such as a mirror, sword, or jewel) housed in a shrine and believed to contain the spirit of a deity. The term is honorific.
See also: 神体
神社の御神体は、一般の人が直接見ることはできません。
The shintai of a shrine cannot be viewed directly by ordinary people.
The shintai of this shrine is said to be a mirror.
神体 is the non-honorific term for the same concept; 御神体 adds the honorific prefix 御 (ご).
Compound of honorific prefix 御 (ご) + 神体 (しんたい, 'divine body'). The exact historical origin of the practice is uncertain, but the term is firmly associated with Shinto.