Torii
Architecture鳥居 ・ Reading: とりい
Definition
A torii is the gateway at the entrance to a Shinto shrine, marking the boundary between the everyday world and the sacred grounds. It usually has two upright posts joined by two horizontal beams, and is often painted vermillion.
What it marks
A torii stands at the entrance to a shrine, and sometimes along the approach path. Passing under it signals that you are leaving everyday space and entering the home of the kami. By custom you bow slightly before walking through, and you keep to the side rather than the centre, which is left open for the deity.
What they look like
Most torii share the same basic shape of two uprights crossed by two beams, but the materials vary widely, from weathered wood to bright vermillion lacquer to stone and bronze. Some shrines, such as Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, line their paths with thousands of them.
A quick way to tell shrine from temple
A torii almost always means a shrine rather than a Buddhist temple, so spotting one is the fastest way to tell the two apart at a glance.
Common questions
- What is the difference between a torii and a temple gate?
A torii is the gateway to a Shinto shrine and usually consists of two upright posts joined by two horizontal beams, often painted vermilion. A temple gate, such as a sanmon, belongs to a Buddhist temple and is typically a larger roofed structure, so spotting a torii almost always tells you that you are entering a shrine rather than a temple.
- Why are torii often painted red?
Many torii are painted a bright vermilion because the colour is traditionally believed to ward off evil and misfortune, and the pigment also helped protect the wood. Not all torii are red, however, as some are left as plain weathered wood and others are made of stone or bronze.
- How should you walk through a torii?
When passing through a torii, it is customary to bow slightly before stepping under it to show respect as you enter the sacred grounds. Many visitors also keep to the side rather than walking straight down the centre, which is traditionally regarded as the path of the kami.
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