Itsukushima Shrine Ōtorii
Itsukushima Shrine Ōtorii, Wooden torii gate in Hatsukaichi, Japan
Description
The Itsukushima Shrine Ōtorii is a wooden gate standing about 16.6 meters tall and rising from the waters of the bay in bright red paint. It has four posts and a thick upper beam assembled following classical Japanese proportions and wooden joinery techniques.
History
The current wooden structure was built in 1875, replacing earlier versions that traced back to the Heian period when this shrine first took shape. Since then, it has been rebuilt and repaired multiple times to withstand the forces of the sea and time.
Culture
The gate displays a bright red color that makes it stand out from the water and marks this as a sacred place. The design and painting follow long-standing Shinto traditions that continue to shape how visitors understand the shrine.
Practical
The best time to visit is at low tide, when you can walk around the gate and view it up close from the water level. At high tide, the gate rises directly from the water, offering a completely different visual effect.
Did you know?
The gate weighs approximately 60 tons, and this massive weight holds it in position on the seabed without needing to be buried or anchored with foundations. The weight alone keeps it stable enough to withstand strong waves and currents for decades.
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