keystone
要石 (Kaname-ishi)
Holy stones which can calm earthquakes. The word 'Kaname-ishi' is often translated as 'keystone.'
The folk tale about how the god of Kashima Shrine, Takemikazuchi, used the stone to seal away the great catfish (namazu) and calm earthquakes is well known. Katori Shrine has another folk tale about Kaname-ishi.
The stones are buried at shrines even today, but the part that is visible above ground is just the tip. The part of the stone that stretches below the ground is believed to press down on or even stab the head of a namazu or the body of a great dragon. In Ukiyo-e, the war god Takemikazuchi is often shown wielding the stone as a sword.
In Touhou series, the stone is depicted as a floating big stone with shimenawa (sacred ropes). Usually associated with Hinanawi Tenshi.
Typical tags
rock, shimenawa, shide, floating