What is "yorishiro"

A in Shinto terminology is an object capable of attracting spirits called kami, thus giving them a physical space to occupy during religious ceremonies. Yorishiro are used during ceremonies to call the kami for worship. The word itself literally means approach substitute. Once a yorishiro actually houses a kami, it is called a shintai. Ropes called shimenawa decorated with paper streamers called shide often surround yorishiro to make their sacredness manifest. Persons can play the same role as a yorishiro, and in that case are called or .

The concept and the use of yorishiro are not exclusive to Japan, but arise spontaneously in animistic cultures. In monotheistic religions animals and objects are just works of the world's creator, whereas to animists they are the natural residence of spirits, kami in the case of Japan.