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torii Listen to the Japanese term!


Takenaka Inari-sha, Kyoto
Photo by Linda Freeman, July 12, 2003

sacred entrance to a Shinto shrine

The gateway to Shinto shrines, or torii, are generally made of wood and painted vermillion. However, I have also seen concrete and steel torii and white or unpainted torii. Shimenawa are frequently placed on the crossbar of the torii.

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