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iwakura
岩座・磐座

shrine-rock


A large natural stone where a god is held to descend in primitive belief. It is thought to be the origin of stone arranging in Japanese gardens. The one at Mt. Miwa in the city of Sakurai, Nara prefecture is well known.


Japanese Garden Dictionary: A Glossary for Japanese Gardens and Their History
(C) 2010 by Ono Kenkichi and Walter Edwards. All rights reserved.