The prevalence of the stones in Shinto shrines and temples has led to speculation that rock-lifting was used for divining the future,[20] a practice known as ishi-ura (石占).[21][22] The ease with which a petitioner lifted the stones indicated the likelihood of his preferred outcome occurring.[4][23] Ishi-ura was notably practiced in ancient Shinano Province, now modern-day Nagasaki Prefecture.[6] Smaller versions of these stones were sometimes placed by a child's bed, in the belief that this would strengthen the child.[20]