Japan Shinto Shrine Gate Japanese Jinja Torii Tori Mon

Those who have visited Shinto (native religion of Japan) shrines in Japan may recall passing beneath one or more large gates (mon) at the entrance to the shrine complex. These distinctive structures are called torii in Japanese and are thought to mark the boundary between the secular world and the sanctified grounds of the shrine. In passing beneath a torii one is, in fact, making his or her initial approach towards the inner sanctuary, and accordingly many Japanese will first bow before stepping under the gate. Shinto shrines may include multiple gates, and paths within the shrine may be lined with dozens of closely set torii which together create the effect of a long, enclosed corridor. Believers may use their walk through such passages as an aid in helping to clear their mind of worldly distractions and in preparation for making an appearance before the enshrined deity. Torii gates are traditionally made of wood though it is not uncommon to see gates made of metal, concrete, stone or other durable material. Many wooden torii are unpainted and over time will take on a beautiful weathered appearance much in keeping with the shrine's natural-looking landscape.  Torii are often produced using local timber and therefore shrines which are located in high mountain forests may feature torii constructed simply from a few rough cut conifers. Such torii blend in nicely with the surrounding forest and are emblematic of the Japanese love of nature. Though the torii has become a symbol of Japan as a country it is nevertheless a very unique and important part of the Shinto religious tradition.

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• Shinto
• Shrine
• Gate
• Japanese
• Jinja
• Torii
• Tori
• Mon
• Tokaido
• Softypapa

[thekinggotrickrolld]

is shintoism somewhat popular in america? i am very interested in shintoism, but since i live in the south-eastern U.S. there isn't any type of shinto influence, so i want to know if there are shinto events in a my region. it sounds like a very nice religion, and i love japanese culture.

[softypapa]

@thekinggotrickrolld Thank you for watching. I think Shinto is largely unknown outside Japan though there may be some organizations in the USA where you can find and make connections with others who share your interest. Thanks again for watching. I wish you all the best! ~Kurt :-)

[Nowitzki25]

Shinto is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful spiritual paths one can partake in. The practice of seeing and celebrating the divine spirit in all things is truly awe inspiring. God bless Shinto.

[softypapa]

@Nowitzki25 I agree with you completely and always enjoy encountering elements of Shinto during my wanderings in Japan. Thank you for watching and commenting! -Kurt :-)

[Seanuk]

The Shi Shi at the front of the gates, were the cats or bears?? couldnt make out??

Thank you for posting

[softypapa]

Hello seanuk, I believe that the statues are Inari fox messengers. As this is a shrine to the god Inari it is very common to see such fox statues on the grounds. I hope that this helps. -Kurt

[hiragana3]

よく海外の人は日本に旅行に来ると豪華で大きいのでお寺に行きま­す。しかしそこには表面的な日本でしかありません。日本人が本当­に大切にしてるのは神社であり自然や精霊です。神社は大きく作ら­ず自然とともにあり進めてこず心を清らかにします。

[Kazemono]

Shrines to Inari are always interesting to visit. Last time I was in Kyoto, I climbed up Inari Yama at midnight! I will never forget the experience.

[kaisermuto]

The Shinto god's Dogma is only to make everything be clean, and genuine. Since BC era artisans had small shrine in their workshop. carpenter, sword black smith also had samall shrine in the workshop. They pray to god for the skill up. Even TOYOTA, or Robot factories have Small shinto shrine with Torii gate. If you believe Shinto, you can be Japanese.

[takaragekumaku]

Japanese celebrate Christmas, strike a bell in a Buddhist temple on New Year's Eve,

then go to a shinto shrine on the New Year's Day.

Although you may regard that as strange, for a Japanese, it is natural.

At Shintoism, Japanese think that all things are God,

there is no hesitation of what in accepting God of other religion as one of gods.

[Kemonokami]

@Nowitzki25

Truly. The Kami are not only of nature, but of ideas, emotions, art, music, literature, fiction and even science. The true beauty of Shintoism is that it is celebratory of all things, diverse in beliefs and traditions and is constantly reinventing itself on its own volition.

Praise Shinto. Praise Japan. Praise Inari, Benten and Amaterasu.

[hafb1991]

私は日本人では、私はアメリカ人だけど、私はちょうど日本の文化­を愛して

[RisingTornado]

@flomogojo1234 : The foxes are messengers of the Kami Inari; a pair of foxes are almost always associated with her shrine(s). Inari is the Kami of grain, harvest, and fertility.

[RisingTornado]

@thekinggotrickrolld : I don't know if there are any representative presences of Shinto in the southeastern United States, but in Washington State there is the Tsubaki Jingu, the official north American branch of the Tsubaki grand shrine in Japan : tsubakishrine-dot-org.

Overall, I think that Shinto is not very popular or widespread in north America; it is probably practiced by a small number of people (relative to other religions), but it is not absent completely.

[flomogojo1234]

at the gate are those statues foxes, and exchange student from japan told me that they are like sacred animals or something is that correct?

[KYONSUZUMIYA1]

@hiragana3 i hope the best for japan; japan and korea are my 2 favorite asian countries,and if japanese can be well after a world war they sure will be well after an earthquake and tsunami,i hope blessings from God to japan,we must pray to God for japan

[1warriorclass1]

october