Torii - wikipedia Torii For other uses, see Torii ( disambiguation ). Main article : Mon ( architecture ) The famous torii at Itsukushima Shrine, a Ryōbu - style torii. A torii ( 鳥居, literally bird abode, Japanese pronunciation : ( to. ɾi. i ) ) is a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine, where it symbolically marks the transition from the profane to sacred. The presence of a torii at the entrance is usually the simplest way to identify Shinto shrines, and a small torii icon represents them on Japanese road maps. The first appearance of Torii gates in Japan can be reliably pinpointed to at least the mid-Heian period because they are mentioned in a text written in 922. The oldest existing stone torii was built in the 12th century and belongs to a Hachiman Shrine in Yamagata prefecture. The oldest wooden torii is a ryōbu torii ( see description below ) at Kubō Hachiman Shrine in Yamanashi prefecture built in 1535. Torii gates were traditionally made from wood or stone, but today they can be also made of reinforced concrete, copper, stainless steel or other materials. They are usually either unpainted or painted vermilion with a black upper lintel. Inari shrines typically have many torii because those who have been successful in business often donate in gratitude a torii to Inari, kami of fertility and industry. Fushimi Inari - taisha in Kyoto has thousands of such torii, each bearing the donor 's name. Contents 1 Meaning and uses 2 Origins 3 Parts and ornamentations 4 Styles 4.1 Shinmei family 4.2 Photo gallery 4.2. 1 Shinmei torii 4.2. 2 Ise torii 4.2. 3 Kasuga torii 4.2. 4 Hachiman torii 4.2. 5 Kashima torii 4.2. 6 Kuroki torii 4.2. 7 Shiromaruta torii 4.2. 8 Mihashira torii 4.3 Torii of the myōjin family 4.4 Photo gallery 4.4. 1 Myōjin torii 4.4. 2 Nakayama torii 4.4. 3 Daiwa / Inari torii 4.4. 4 Sannō torii 4.4. 5 Miwa torii 4.4. 6 Ryōbu torii 4.4. 7 Hizen torii 5 Gallery 6 Notes 7 References Meaning and uses A torii at the entrance of Shitennō - ji, a Buddhist temple in Osaka The function of a torii is to mark the entrance to a sacred space. For this reason, the road leading to a Shinto shrine ( sandō ) is almost always straddled by one or more torii, which are therefore the easiest way to distinguish a shrine from a Buddhist temple. If the sandō passes under multiple torii, the outer of them is called ichi no torii ( 一 の 鳥居, first torii ). The following ones, closer to the shrine, are usually called, in order, ni no torii ( 二 の 鳥居, second torii ) and san no torii ( 三 の 鳥居, third torii ). Other torii can be found farther into the shrine to represent increasing levels of holiness as one nears the inner sanctuary ( honden ), core of the shrine. Also, because of the strong relationship between Shinto shrines and the Japanese Imperial family, a torii stands also in front of the tomb of each Emperor. Whether torii existed in Japan before Buddhism or, to the contrary, arrived with it ( see section below ) is, however, an open question. In the past torii must have been used also at the entrance of Buddhist temples. Even today, as prominent a temple as Osaka 's Shitennō - ji, founded in 593 by Shōtoku Taishi and the oldest state - built Buddhist temple in the world ( and country ), has a torii straddling one of its entrances. ( The original wooden torii burned in 1294 and was then replaced by one in stone. ) Many Buddhist temples include one or more Shinto shrines dedicated to their tutelary kami ( `` Chinjusha '' ), and in that case a torii marks the shrine 's entrance. Benzaiten is a syncretic goddess derived from the Indian divinity Sarasvati which unites elements of both Shinto and Buddhism. For this reason halls dedicated to her can be found at both temples and shrines, and in either case in front of the hall stands a torii. The goddess herself is sometimes portrayed with a torii on her head ( see photo below ). Finally, until the Meiji period ( 1868 -- 1912 ) torii were routinely adorned with plaques carrying Buddhist sutras. The association between Japanese Buddhism and the torii is therefore old and profound. Yamabushi, Japanese mountain ascetic hermits with a long tradition as mighty warriors endowed with supernatural powers, sometimes use as their symbol a torii. The torii is also sometimes used as a symbol of Japan in non-religious contexts. For example, it is the symbol of the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment and the 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division and of other US forces in Japan. Origins Buddhist goddess Benzaiten, a torii visible on her head The origins of the torii are unknown and there are several different theories on the subject, none of which has gained universal acceptance. Because the use of symbolic gates is widespread in Asia -- such structures can be found for example in India, China, Thailand, Korea, and within Nicobarese and Shompen villages -- historians believe they may be an imported tradition. They may, for example, have originated in India from the torana gates in the monastery of Sanchi in central India. According to this theory, the torana was adopted by Shingon Buddhism founder Kūkai, who used it to demarcate the sacred space used for the homa ceremony. The hypothesis arose in the 19th and 20th centuries due to similarities in structure and name between the two gates. Linguistic and historical objections have now emerged, but no conclusion has yet been reached. In Bangkok, Thailand, a Brahmin structure called Sao Ching Cha strongly resembles a torii. Functionally, however, it is very different as it is used as a swing. During ceremonies Brahmins swing, trying to grab a bag of coins placed on one of the pillars. Other theories claim torii may be related to the pailou of China. These structures however can assume a great variety of forms, only some of which actually somewhat resemble a torii. The same goes for Korea 's `` hongsal - mun ''. Unlike its Chinese counterpart, the hongsal - mun does not vary greatly in design and is always painted red, with `` arrowsticks '' located on the top of the structure ( hence the name ). Proposed relatives of the torii An Indian torana A Chinese pailou A Korean Hongsalmun Various tentative etymologies of the word torii exist. According to one of them, the name derives from the term tōri - iru ( 通り 入る, pass through and enter ). Another hypothesis takes the name literally : the gate would originally have been some kind of bird perch. This is based on the religious use of bird perches in Asia, such as the Korean sotdae ( 솟대 ), which are poles with one or more wooden birds resting on their top. Commonly found in groups at the entrance of villages together with totem poles called jangseung, they are talismans which ward off evil spirits and bring the villagers good luck. `` Bird perches '' similar in form and function to the sotdae exist also in other shamanistic cultures in China, Mongolia and Siberia. Although they do not look like torii and serve a different function, these `` bird perches '' show how birds in several Asian cultures are believed to have magic or spiritual properties, and may therefore help explain the enigmatic literal meaning of the torii 's name ( `` bird perch '' ). Poles believed to have supported wooden bird figures very similar to the sotdae have been found together with wooden birds, and are believed by some historians to have somehow evolved into today 's torii. Intriguingly, in both Korea and Japan single poles represent deities ( kami in the case of Japan ) and hashira ( 柱, pole ) is the counter for kami. In Japan birds have also long had a connection with the dead, this may mean it was born in connection with some prehistorical funerary rite. Ancient Japanese texts like the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki for example mention how Yamato Takeru after his death became a white bird and in that form chose a place for his own burial. For this reason, his mausoleum was then called shiratori misasagi ( 白鳥 陵, white bird grave ). Many later texts also show some relationship between dead souls and white birds, a link common also in other cultures, shamanic like the Japanese. Bird motifs from the Yayoi and Kofun periods associating birds with the dead have also been found in several archeological sites. This relationship between birds and death would also explain why, in spite of their name, no visible trace of birds remains in today 's torii : birds were symbols of death, which in Shinto brings defilement ( kegare ). Finally, the possibility that torii are a Japanese invention can not be discounted. The first torii could have evolved already with their present function through the following sequence of events : The Shinmei torii Four posts were placed at the corners of a sacred area and connected with a rope, thus dividing sacred and mundane. Two taller posts were then placed at the center of the most auspicious direction, to let the priest in. A rope was tied from one post to the other to mark the border between the outside and the inside, the sacred and the mundane. This hypothetical stage corresponds to a type of torii in actual use, the so - called shime - torii ( 注連 鳥居 ), an example of which can be seen in front of Ōmiwa Shrine 's haiden in Kyoto ( see also the photo in the gallery ). The rope was replaced by a lintel. Because the gate was structurally weak, it was reinforced with a tie - beam, and what is today called shinmei torii ( 神明 鳥居 ) or futabashira torii ( 二 柱 鳥居, two pillar torii ) ( see illustration at right ) was born. This theory however does nothing to explain how the gates got their name. The shinmei torii, whose structure agrees with the historians ' reconstruction, consists of just four unbarked and unpainted logs : two vertical pillars ( hashira ( 柱 ) ) topped by a horizontal lintel ( kasagi ( 笠木 ) ) and kept together by a tie - beam ( nuki ( 貫 ) ). The pillars may have a slight inward inclination called uchikorobi ( 内 転び ) or just korobi ( 転び ). Its parts are always straight. Parts and ornamentations Torii parts and ornamentations Torii may be unpainted or painted vermilion and black. The color black is limited to the kasagi and the nemaki ( 根 巻, see illustration ). Very rarely torii can be found also in other colors. Kamakura 's Kamakura - gū for example has a white and red one. The kasagi may be reinforced underneath by a second horizontal lintel called shimaki or shimagi ( 島木 ). Kasagi and the shimaki may have an upward curve called sorimashi ( 反り 増し ). The nuki is often held in place by wedges ( kusabi ( 楔 ) ). The kusabi in many cases are purely ornamental. At the center of the nuki there may be a supporting strut called gakuzuka ( 額 束 ), sometimes covered by a tablet carrying the name of the shrine ( see photo in the gallery ). The pillars often rest on a white stone ring called kamebara ( 亀 腹, turtle belly ) or daiishi ( 台 石, base stone ). The stone is sometimes replaced by a decorative black sleeve called nemaki ( 根 巻, root sleeve ). At the top of the pillars there may be a decorative ring called daiwa ( 台 輪, big ring ). The gate has a purely symbolic function and therefore there usually are no doors or board fences, but exceptions exist, as for example in the case of Ōmiwa Shrine 's triple - arched torii ( miwa torii, see below ). Styles Structurally, the simplest is the shime torii or chūren torii ( 注連 鳥居 ) ( see illustration below ). Probably one of the oldest types of torii, it consists of two posts with a sacred rope called shimenawa tied between them. All other torii can be divided in two families, the shinmei family ( 神明 系 ) and the myōjin family ( 明神 系 ). Torii of the first have only straight parts, the second have both straight and curved parts. Shinmei family The shinmei torii and its variants are characterized by straight upper lintels. Shime torii : just two posts and a shimenawa Shinmei torii Ise torii - a shinmei torii with a kasagi pentagonal in section, a shimaki and kusabi. Kashima torii - a shinmei torii with kusabi and a nuki protruding from the sides. Kasuga torii - a myōjin torii with straight top lintels cut at a square angle. Hachiman torii - a kasuga torii, but the two lintels have a downwards slant. Mihashira torii - a triple shinmei torii. Photo gallery Beachside torii on the island of Naoshima Ise torii, first type. Note the presence of kasagi Ise torii, second type. Note the shimaki Hachiman torii Mihashira torii A shiroki torii Torrii in the Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village Shinmei torii The shinmei torii ( 神明 鳥居 ), which gives the name to the family, is constituted solely by a lintel ( kasagi ) and two pillars ( hashira ) united by a tie beam ( nuki ). In its simplest form, all four elements are rounded and the pillars have no inclination. When the nuki is rectangular in section, it is called Yasukuni torii, from Tokyo 's Yasukuni Jinja. It is believed to be the oldest torii style. Ise torii 伊勢 鳥居 ( Ise torii ) ( see illustration above ) are gates found only at the Inner Shrine and Outer Shrine at Ise Shrine in Mie Prefecture. For this reason, they are also called Jingū torii, from Jingū, Ise Grand Shrine 's official Japanese name. There are two variants. The most common is extremely similar to a shinmei torii, its pillars however have a slight inward inclination and its nuki is kept in place by wedges ( kusabi ). The kasagi is pentagonal in section ( see illustration in the gallery below ). The ends of the kasagi are slightly thicker, giving the impression of an upward slant. All these torii were built after the 14th century. The second type is similar to the first, but has also a secondary, rectangular lintel ( shimaki ) under the pentagonal kasagi. This and the shinmei torii style started becoming more popular during the early 20th century at the time of State Shinto because they were considered the oldest and most prestigious. Kasuga torii The Kasuga torii ( 春日 鳥居 ) is a myōjin torii ( see illustration above ) with straight top lintels. The style takes its name from Kasuga - taisha 's ichi - no - torii ( 一 の 鳥居 ), or main torii. The pillars have an inclination and are slightly tapered. The nuki protrudes and is held in place by kusabi driven in on both sides. This torii was the first to be painted vermilion and to adopt a shimaki at Kasuga Taisha, the shrine from which it takes its name. Hachiman torii Almost identical to a kasuga torii ( see illustration above ), but with the two upper lintels at a slant, the Hachiman torii ( 八幡 鳥居 ) first appeared during the Heian period. The name comes from the fact that this type of torii is often used at Hachiman shrines. Kashima torii The kashima torii ( 鹿島 鳥居 ) ( see illustration above ) is a shinmei torii without korobi, with kusabi and a protruding nuki. It takes its name from Kashima Shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture. Kuroki torii The kuroki torii ( 黒木 鳥居 ) is a shinmei torii built with unbarked wood. Because this type of torii requires replacement at three years intervals, it is becoming rare. The most notorious example is Nonomiya Shrine in Kyoto. The shrine now however uses a torii made of synthetic material which simulates the look of wood. Shiromaruta torii The shiromaruta torii ( 白 丸太 鳥居 ) or shiroki torii ( 白木 鳥居 ) is a shinmei torii made with logs from which bark has been removed. This type of torii is present at the tombs of all Emperors of Japan. Mihashira torii The mihashira torii or Mitsubashira Torii ( 三 柱 鳥居, Three - pillar Torii, also 三角 鳥居 sankaku torii ) ( see illustration above ) is a type of torii which appears to be formed from three individual torii ( see gallery ). It is thought by some to have been built by early Japanese Christians to represent the Holy Trinity. Torii of the myōjin family The myōjin torii and its variants are characterized by curved lintels. Myōjin torii - kasagi and shimaki are curved upwards. Nakayama torii - a myōjin torii, but the nuki does not protrude from the pillars. Daiwa or Inari torii - A myōjin torii with rings at the top of the pillars. Ryōbu torii - a daiwa torii with pillars supported on both sides. Miwa torii - a triple myōjin torii. Usa torii - a myōjin torii with no gakuzuka. Nune torii - a daiwa torii with a small gable above the gakuzuka. Sannō torii - a myōjin torii with a gable above the kasagi. Hizen torii - an unusual style with a rounded kasagi and thick, flared pillars. Photo gallery Myōjin torii Sannō torii Daiwa torii. Note the nemaki. The Sumiyoshi torii has pillars with a square cross-section. Nakayama torii Ryōbu torii Miwa Torii The hizen torii ( 肥前 鳥居 ) has a rounded kasagi and thick flared pillars. Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha Fushimi Inari - taisha ( When the wish is fulfilled the torii that wrote the name was built ) Myōjin torii The myōjin torii ( 明神 鳥居 ), by far the most common torii style, are characterized by curved upper lintels ( kasagi and shimaki ). Both curve slightly upwards. Kusabi are present. A myōjin torii can be made of wood, stone, concrete or other materials and be vermilion or unpainted. Nakayama torii The Nakayama torii ( 中山 鳥居 ) style, which takes its name from Nakayama Jinja in Okayama Prefecture, is basically a myōjin torii, but the nuki does not protrude from the pillars and the curve made by the two top lintels is more accentuated than usual. The torii at Nakayama Shrine that gives the style its name is 9 m tall and was erected in 1791. Daiwa / Inari torii The daiwa or Inari torii ( 大輪 鳥居 ・ 稲荷 鳥居 ) ( see illustration above ) is a myōjin torii with two rings called daiwa at the top of the two pillars. The name `` Inari torii '' comes from the fact that vermilion daiwa torii tend to be common at Inari shrines, but even at the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine not all torii are in this style. This style first appeared during the late Heian period. Sannō torii The sannō torii ( 山王 鳥居 ) ( see photo below ) is myōjin torii with a gable over the two top lintels. The best example of this style is found at Hiyoshi Shrine near Lake Biwa. Miwa torii Also called sankō torii ( 三光 鳥居, three light torii ), mitsutorii ( 三 鳥居, triple torii ) or komochi torii ( 子持ち 鳥居, torii with children ) ( see illustration above ), the miwa torii ( 三輪 鳥居 ) is composed of three myōjin torii without inclination of the pillars. It can be found with or without doors. The most famous one is at Ōmiwa Shrine, in Nara, from which it takes its name. an entrance to a temple Ryōbu torii Also called yotsuashi torii ( 四 脚 鳥居, four - legged torii ), gongen torii ( 権現 鳥居 ) or chigobashira torii ( 稚児 柱 鳥居 ), the ryōbu torii ( 両 部 鳥居 ) is a daiwa torii whose pillars are reinforced on both sides by square posts ( see illustration above ). The name derives from its long association with Ryōbu Shintō, a current of thought within Shingon Buddhism. The famous torii rising from the water at Itsukushima is a ryōbu torii, and the shrine used to be also a Shingon Buddhist temple, so much so that it still has a pagoda. Hizen torii The hizen torii ( 肥前 鳥居 ) is an unusual type of torii with a rounded kasagi and pillars that flare downwards. The example in the gallery below is the main torii at Chiriku Hachimangū in Saga prefecture, and a city - designated Important Cultural Property. Gallery A tablet on a torii at Nikkō Tōshō - gū covers the gakuzuka The typical pentagonal profile of a torii 's kasagi. Note the black nemaki. A row of torii One - legged torii, Sannō Shrine, Nagasaki, Japan. The other half was toppled in the explosion of the nuclear bomb. An unusual white and red Nakayama torii A shime torii Rows of tiny votive torii donated by the faithful An unusual kaku - torii ( 角 鳥居, lit. square torii ) at Sumiyoshi Taisha : the nuki does not protrude and all members are square in section A temporary Torii for new year celebration in a shopping street decorated with Christmas lights An example of a Hizen style gate. Notes Jump up ^ Buddhist temples are represented with a swastika. They also have a symbolic gate, which is however very different. On the subject, see the articles Shichidō garan, Mon ( architecture ), Sōmon and Sanmon. Jump up ^ Torii used to be also called uefukazu - no - mikado or uefukazu - no - gomon ( 於 上 不 葺 御門, roofless gate ). The presence of the honorific Mi - or Go - makes it likely that by then their use was already associated with shrines. Jump up ^ The two names are simply different readings of the same characters. Jump up ^ Other ways of classifying torii exist, based for example on the presence or absence of the shimaki. See for example the site Jinja Chishiki. Jump up ^ This example is the main torii of Kashii Shrine, Saga prefecture Jump up ^ At Kamakura 's Zeniarai Benten Shrine References ^ Jump up to : `` JAANUS ''. Torii. Retrieved 14 January 2010. Jump up ^ `` Historical Items about Japan ''. Michelle Jarboe. 2007 - 05 - 11. Retrieved 2010 - 02 - 10. ^ Jump up to : `` Torii ''. Encyclopedia of Shinto. Kokugakuin University. 2005 - 06 - 02. Retrieved 2010 - 02 - 21. ^ Jump up to : Scheid, Bernhard. `` Einleitung : Religiöse Bauten in Japan ''. Religion - in - Japan. University of Vienna. Retrieved 17 October 2010. ^ Jump up to : Scheid, Bernhard. `` Religion in Japan ''. Torii ( in German ). University of Vienna. Retrieved 12 February 2010. Jump up ^ Hiroko Matsuyama, `` Torii Gate : Boundary between the Secular and the Sacred '', `` Patternz.jp '', November 29, 2016. Retrieved 2017 - 10 - 25. ^ Jump up to : Bocking, Brian ( 1997 ). A Popular Dictionary of Shinto. Routledge. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7007 - 1051 - 5. Jump up ^ DefenseLINK News : Revised Helmet Patch Immortalizes World War II Troops Jump up ^ James Edward Ketelaar. Of Heretics and Martyrs in Meiji Japan. Princeton : Princeton University Press, 1990. p. 59. Jump up ^ Guisso, Richard W.I. ; Yu, Chai - Shin ( 1 January 1988 ). Shamanism : The Spirit World of Korea. Jain Publishing Company. p. 56. ISBN 9780895818867. Retrieved 5 January 2016. Jump up ^ Bocking, Brian ( 30 September 2005 ). A Popular Dictionary of Shinto. Routledge. p. 319. ISBN 9781135797386. Retrieved 5 January 2016. Jump up ^ `` 鳥居 、 狛犬 、 注連縄 、 神社 の 神域 を 守る 物 の 意味 と 起源 '', `` 和 じ かん. com '', Retrieved 2017 - 10 - 25. ( in Japanese ) Jump up ^ `` Onrain Shoten BK1 : Kyoboku to torizao Yūgaku Sōsho '' ( in Japanese ). Retrieved 22 February 2010. Jump up ^ Iwanami Kōjien ( 広辞苑 ) Japanese dictionary, 6th Edition ( 2008 ), DVD version Jump up ^ `` Torii no iroiro '' ( in Japanese ). Retrieved 25 February 2010. Jump up ^ `` JAANUS ''. Toriimon. Retrieved 15 January 2010. ^ Jump up to : Picken, Stuart ( November 22, 1994 ). Essentials of Shinto : An Analytical Guide to Principal Teachings ( Resources in Asian Philosophy and Religion ). Greenwood. pp. 148 -- 160. ISBN 978 - 0 - 313 - 26431 - 3. Jump up ^ `` JAANUS ''. Shinmei torii. Retrieved 14 January 2010. Jump up ^ `` Torii no bunrui '' ( in Japanese ). Retrieved 25 February 2010. Jump up ^ `` JAANUS ''. Ise torii. Retrieved 15 January 2010. Jump up ^ `` JAANUS ''. Kasuga torii. Retrieved 15 January 2010. Jump up ^ `` mihashira torii 三 柱 鳥居. '' JAANUS. Retrieved on May 31, 1958. Jump up ^ Parent, Mary Neighbour. Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System. Ryoubu torii, retrieved on June 28, 2011 Jump up ^ Hamashima, Masashi ( 1999 ). Jisha Kenchiku no Kanshō Kiso Chishiki ( in Japanese ). Tokyo : Shibundō. p. 88. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Torii. Elements of Japanese architecture Styles Buddhist Buke Daibutsuyō Gassho Giyōfū Hachiman Hirairi Hiyoshi ( Hie ) Imperial Crown style ( Teikanyōshiki ) Irimoya Ishi - no - ma Kasuga Kibitsu Nagare Ōbaku Zen Setchūyō Shinden Shinmei Shinto Shoin Sukiya Sumiyoshi Taisha Wayō Zenshūyō Model of Himeji Castle Types of building Butsuden Castle Chashitsu Dō Haiden Heiden Hokora Hōkyōintō Kura Kyōzō Machiya Main Hall Minka Setsumatsusha Shōrō Tahōtō Japanese pagoda Yagura Roof styles Hidden Irimoya Karahafu Structural Burdock piling Chigi Disordered piling Engawa Fusuma Hisashi Irimoya - zukuri Irori Jinmaku Katōmado Katsuogi Kuruwa Mokoshi Moya Nakazonae Namako wall Nightingale floor Onigawara Ranma Shōji ( washi ) Sōrin Tamagaki Tatami Tokonoma Tokyō Tsumairi Shibi Gates Approaches Genkan Kairō Karamon Mon Nijūmon Niōmon Rōmon Sandō Sanmon Sōmon Torii ( Mihashira ) Rooms Chashitsu Daidokoro Mizuya Shoin Toilets Washitsu Furnishings Butsudan Byōbu Chabudai Emakimono Furo Futon Getabako Kaidan dansu Kamado Kamidana Kichō Kotatsu Misu Noren Sudare Tamaya Tansu Zabuton Zafu Outdoor objects Chōzuya ( Temizuya ) Ishigantō Komainu Tōrō Measurements Ken Koku Ri Shaku Sun Organizations Architectural Institute of Japan Japan Institute of Architects Metabolist Movement Related topics Groups of Traditional Buildings Iki Japanese garden ( rock ( Zen ) ) Ryokan Sentō Wabi - sabi Yabo National Treasures Castles Residences Shrines Temples Other structures Shinto shrines Shinto architecture Buildings chōzuya or temizuya haiden heiden hokora honden / shinden / shōden kagura - den massha sessha Architectonic elements Chinjusha chigi hidden roof kaerumata : see nakazonae kairō karahafu karamon katōmado katsuogi ken kentozuka : see nakazonae kitsune ( fox ) komainu mon nakazonae sandō shinboku shōrō sōrin tamagaki tokyō torii tōrō Styles hirairi - zukuri tsumairi - zukuri gongen - zukuri hachiman - zukuri hiyoshi - zukuri irimoya - zukuri ishi - no - ma - zukuri kasuga - zukuri kibitsu - zukuri misedana - zukuri nagare - zukuri ōtori - zukuri owari - zukuri ryōnagare - zukuri shinmei - zukuri sumiyoshi - zukuri taisha - zukuri Others Implements An ema gohei hakama jōe kamidana mikoshi ofuda omamori ōnusa saisen shaku shide shimenawa shinboku shintai tamagushi tamaya Main kami Amaterasu Hachiman Inari Ōkami Tenjin Staff kannushi miko Head shrines Fushimi Inari Taisha Usa Hachiman - gū Ise Grand Shrine Dazaifu Tenman - gū Munakata Taisha Suwa Taisha Hiyoshi Taisha Kumano Nachi Taisha Tsushima Shrine Yasaka Shrine Miscellaneous A-un Glossary of Shinto jingū - ji Jinja Honchō miyadera ( in order of the size of the shrine network they head ) NDL : 00573315 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Torii&oldid=807098009 '' Categories : Japanese architectural features Japanese architecture Japanese religions terms Shinto Types of gates Gates in Japan Religious symbols Hidden categories : Articles containing Japanese - language text CS1 German - language sources ( de ) CS1 Japanese - language sources ( ja ) Talk Contents About Wikipedia Azərbaycanca Български Català Čeština Deutsch Eesti Ελληνικά Español Esperanto فارسی Français 한국어 Հայերեն Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Basa Jawa Lietuvių Magyar Bahasa Melayu Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Русский Scots Suomi Svenska தமிழ் ไทย Українська Tiếng Việt 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 25 October 2017, at 21 : 53. 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Question: the archway at the entrance of a shinto shrine is known as a
Answer: A torii (鳥居, literally bird abode