A holding device including an object to be held by the holding device and
having six first flat surfaces, a holding member having six second flat
surfaces each being opposed to and parallel to a corresponding one of the
first flat surfaces, wherein the holding member has three holding
portions of one of a protruded shape and a recessed shape, and wherein
two of the second flat surfaces define at least a portion of the
protruded shape or recessed shape of the holding portions, and rolling
elements each being provided between associated ones of the first and
second flat surfaces. The object is supported by the holding member
through the rolling elements.