1@A single sacred pillar standing independently. Its origin as well
as its true significance is not clear although several theories exist. Some
scholars suggest that it may have been erected in ancient times for a god,
kami _, as a residence, when it descended to earth. If such a theory
is accepted then it can be deduced that such sacred pillars antedate shrine
buildings. A second theory is that such pillars were used to distinguish
the sacred precinct from the mundane. In this case, it might be thought
that single sacred pillars antedated shrine gates *torii
Ή. Examples of himorogi can be seen at Suwa Jinja zK_Π in Nagano
prefecture. There are upper and lower precincts, each with two smaller shrines:
Zenguu O{ and Honguu {{ in the upper precinet, and Harumiya t{ and Akimiya
H{ in the lower precincts. At each of these shrines, the most sanctified
areas are marked at each corner by a sacred pillar, made from the trunk
of a fir tree. The trunks are devoid of branches and are stripped of bark.
The pillars are replaced every seven years during the Sacred Pillar Festival.
2@A plot of purified land, shintai _Μ, of varying sizes where
the spirit of a god was believed to reside. Originally it was enclosed by
evergreen trees or branches and a seat for the deity was made within the
area. Recently the area has been reduced to a size that can be covered by
a few straw mats. An eight-legged table is erected and a branch of the sakaki
ε tree is set upon its center. The branch looks like a little tree decorated
with zig-zag strips of paper, heisoku Ό©. On top of the table, small corner posts connected
by rails form an enclosure for the sacred branch. Ropes hung with zig-zag
papers are strung below the rails from post to post.
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