Mitama-shiro - The Divine Vessel
Sacred objects that serve as dwelling places or vessels for kami spirits.
Mitama-shiro are objects in which kami choose to reside, such as mirrors, swords, or sacred stones (shintai). These are not idols but receptacles that allow the formless divine to be present and accessible for worship. They embody the bridge between visible and invisible realms.
The shintai is the earthly dwelling where the kami graciously resides for our benefit.
Mitama-shiro demonstrates how Shinto makes the transcendent accessible through material form.
Engishiki