torii gate
Japanese sacred threshold
A torii gate is a traditional Japanese gateway marking the entrance to a Shinto shrine or other sacred space.
The distinctive structure consists of two upright pillars topped by two horizontal crossbars, typically painted vermilion.
Torii gates signal the transition from ordinary to sacred ground: We passed through the torii gate into the shrine complex.
The term is somewhat redundant, since torii itself means gate.
- vermillionVivid red-orange color
- kamiShinto sacred spirits
- Shinto shrineJapanese spirit worship site
- haidenOuter worship hall
- toriiShinto shrine entrance
sacred boundary · lintel · ritual purity · threshold · liminality · spirit world · sacred space · jinja · Shinto · divine presence · pillar · Japanese tradition · ancient Japan · wooden pillars · purification ritual · shrine · mountain · mountain path
- Ise ShrineAmaterasu, sun goddess, imperial regalia, torii, haiden
- JapanTokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Mount Fuji, Hokkaido
- archesarch, triumphal arch, memorial arch, roman arch, victory arch
- gatesgate, front gate, back gate, side gate, main gate
- historic sitesruins, historic site, basilica, monument, fortress
- wooden structureslog cabin, log house, timber frame house, wooden bridge, wooden church
torii gateturnstile
Rotating single-passage barrier
prison gate · factory gate · security checkpoint · toll booth · border crossing
torii gatechurch door
Building entrance for worship
crucifix · minaret · lychgate · church steeple · Star of David
torii gatelocked door
Secured portal requiring key
security gate · vault door · portcullis · barricade · barrier