What is Iwakura?
[[File:Yamanokami_Site_(Sakurai),_iwakura.jpg|right|thumb|250x250px|[[Sakurai, Nara]]]] [[File:Meotoiwa.jpg|right|thumb|250x250px|Meoto Iwa a kind of Iwakura]] {{Nihongo|'''Iwakura'''|岩倉}} is a term in ancient Shinto that refers to rocks believed to contain the spirits of Kami. These rocks, which are the object of worship, are also known as Yorishiro. == Overview == People in Japan have been practicing nature worship for a very long time. This means they believe that gods and spirits live in nature. In Shinto ceremonies, they believe the gods come from a special rock called shintai. They use a special object called yorishiro, which represents the gods' power and is placed at the center of the ceremony. As time went by and temples became more permanent, the focus of worship shifted from the body of the gods to the shrines themselves. Sacred trees and stones, decorated with shimenawa ropes, can still be found in many temple grounds. Alongside the belief in rocks, Japan also has various other forms of nature worship. For instance, Chinju no Mori is a belief where certain areas are considered forbidden and off-limits. Munakata Taisha's Okinoshima is another example of a sacred island where the spirits of ancestors are believed to reside. Additionally, there are mountain worships, such as Rokko Himei Shrine and Mount Miwa, as well as beliefs in natural elements like fire, waterfalls, wind, rain, and lightning. Another rock-related object in Shinto is called Iwasaka, which is believed to be a ritual site that centers on a rock. However, compared to Iwaza, there is little evidence of its existence. The Nihonshoki (Chronicles of Japan) distinguishes Iwasaka from Iwaza, suggesting that it is a distinct object. Additionally, a banjiki is similar to a stone circle and serves as a boundary that marks the divine realm and preserves the sacredness of the site. Along the Kaido, some megaliths have carvings related to Buddhism, while others have legends associated with them, such as the tale of a famous samurai who brid