Shintai

Shintai, written 神体 and often translated as "divine body," is a sacred object believed to embody or house a kami (deity) in Shinto. A shintai can be a natural object such as a rock, tree, or mountain, or a crafted item such as a mirror, sword, or jewel. In Shinto belief, the kami is thought to reside in the shintai, making the object a focal point for worship and ritual.

In practice, a shintai is typically kept in the innermost sanctuary of a shrine, known as the honden, and is often not shown to the public. Priests perform rites to honor the deity and maintain contact with the divine presence. Because the shintai is considered sacred and private, many shrines distinguish between the visible shrine precinct and the hidden divine body within.

Common types of shintai include natural elements chosen as sacred embodiments of a deity and human-made objects with symbolic significance. The best-known examples are the three Imperial Regalia—the Yata no Kagami (sacred mirror), Yasakani no Magatama (sacred jewel), and Kusanagi no Tsurugi (sword)—traditionally regarded as shintai and symbols of imperial legitimacy. Not every shrine possesses or reveals its shintai, and the form of the shintai can vary widely between different kami.

Origin and concept: Shintai reflects Shinto's animistic roots, in which divine presence is believed to inhabit tangible forms and to connect the sacred with the material world. The term designates the sacred embodiment of a kami rather than any fixed object, and its role is central to the relationship between worshipers, shrines, and the divine.