noun
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.
法隆寺の五重塔には、心柱が通っている。
A central pillar runs through the five-story pagoda of Hōryū-ji.
noun
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.
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.