鳥居Torii gate
A torii marks the entrance to the sacred ground of a Shinto shrine — the border between everyday space and the space of the kami.
How to recognise it
- Two upright pillars
- One or two crossbeams on top
- Often vermilion, but also stone, bronze or plain wood
Look-alikes
- sanmon — A torii has no roof and no doors. A temple gate (sanmon) is a building with a roof, often with guardian statues inside.
Where to see it
Nikkō Tōshō-gūFushimi Inari TaishaItsukushima Shrine (Miyajima)Kasuga TaishaMozu Kofun Group (Daisen Kofun)Takinoo ShrineUndameshi no Torii, Luck-Testing GateKarakane Torii, Chinese Bronze GateChoanji TempleIse Jingu (long version)Wakamiya ShrineKomainu Guardian StatuesIchi no Torii First Torii Gate
Stories
稲荷Why Do Inari Foxes Hold Keys? And Who Paid for 10,000 Torii?6 min read
厳島The Great Torii of Miyajima Isn't Buried — So How Does It Stand?5 min readOpen the scanner and compare →