Home - The Torii Entrance
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Torii at Heian Shrine, Kyoto |
The torii entrance is found in Shinto shrines and indicates that the ground beyond is sacred. There are 6 main styles of torii although the Myojin style predominates. The design is consistent and the decoration is often faded vermilion (orange-red) and black. Most are in timber although a few are to be found made from local granite, unpainted of course. The most famous torii entrance stands in the sea off Miyajima at the Itsukushima shrine and marks the seaward entrance to the shrine complex. The one shown marks the entrance to the Heian shrine in Kyoto . The cars and people give an idea of scale with the upright posts being some 2.5m in diameter. In view of its status it has gilded adornments to protect the exposed end grain of the timbers.
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Torii at Fushimi-Inari Shrine, Kyoto |
These torii are but a few of the 10,000 torii that form an almost unbroken archway around the mountain at the Fushimi Inari shrine. This shrine is dedicated to the rice and sake gods, which is often represented by the fox (inari) and stands guard at many such shrines, resplendent in their red bibs.
To make your own torii entrance you will need:
2No. 125mm treated machine rounded posts, usually these are 3.6m in length but 3m is sufficient.
1No. 150 x 25mm gravel board for the lower cross bar 1.8m to 2.1m depending on entrance width (bar length = entrance width plus 0.6m minimum).
Capping materials depending on the design to be adopted. The simplest cap can be formed from a third 125mm round post 2.1m to 2.4m in length (cap length = entrance width plus 0.9m minimum), or from a 100mm square post with and a second 150x25 mm gravel board (cap board = cap length plus 0.2m minimum). Vary the dimensions according to the desired effect.
- Cut the posts to length and mark out the position of the cross bar some 250-300mms down from the top of the post.
- Cut a mortise in each post to take the cross bar working from both sides.
- Cut the top bar or cap to length and cut an angle from the underside at each end, which is then fixed to the upper side. The gravel board, which needs to be reduced in thickness to enable it to be bent to the shape of the top bar is then fixed to the upper bar.
- Any painting should be carried out before assembly.
- Plant the posts at least 500mms deep in a concrete footing. The posts will need supporting while the cross bar is fitted. The cross bar is traditionally secured by wooden wedges although a weatherproof fixing may be more practical. When the posts are in place and concrete set proceed to fix the upper bar to the posts using 150mms Timberlok high tensile auger style screw fixings.
- Finally fix the upper gravel board capping to the upper bar.
This article was written by David Burgess of Jade Pavilions.
Copyright Jade Pavilions 2005.
Manufacturers of award winning, configurable oriental teahouses, pavilions, bridges and entrances. More information about Jade Pavilions.
