In Japan, kami have been venerated since prehistory, and in the Yayoi period were regarded as being formless and invisible. It was only under the influence of Buddhism that they were depicted anthropomorphically; statues of the kami are known as "shinzo". Kami are usually associated with a specific place, often one that is noted as a prominent feature in the landscape such as a waterfall, volcano, large rock, or distinctive tree. Physical objects or places in which the kami are believed to have a presence are termed "shintai"; objects inhabited by the kami that are placed in the shrine are known as "go-shintai". Objects commonly chosen for this purpose include mirrors, swords, stones, beads, and inscribed tablets. These "go-shintai" are concealed from the view of visitors, and may be hidden inside boxes so that even the priests do not know what they look like.