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Unlike Buddhist temples, which enshrine sculptural representations
of the various deities of the Buddhist pantheon, Shinto shrines do not house
votive images. Inside the main building of the Inner Shrine are found a
number of small ritual objects associated with the sun goddess Amaterasu
and with the imperial cult. A mirror relates to a legend about Amaterasu,
in which appeals are made to her vanity in order to lure her out of her
natural dwelling place. A sword recalls another ancient tale about the goddess.
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