Shinto altar

Abstract

This item is a simple Shinto altar for worshiping gods. This Shinto altar is equipped with a stand on which three Shinto amulets can be placed side by side. A glass plate is provided in front of the stand. The upper end of the glass plate is fitted into the upper groove of the top plate, and the lower end is fitted into the lower groove of the shelf plate. The glass plate is held in an inclined position so that the upper part is positioned further forward than the lower part. A circular mirror-finished portion is provided in the lower center of the front surface of the glass plate. The front surface of the glass plate, excluding the mirror-finished portion, has low transmittance due to the frosted glass finish at the lower part, and the transmittance increases toward the top, making the upper part transparent. The back surface of the glass plate is transparent, allowing the opaque back side of the mirror-finished portion on the front surface and the frosted glass finish portion to be seen through. A worshipper standing in front of this item and looking up from diagonally below can see the sacred talisman through the transparent and frosted glass parts of the glass plate, and can also see his or her own reflection in the mirrored part of the glass plate.

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