Japanese Torii Gate at sunset

Patch from a series inspired by Japanese culture. The patch stylistically refers to the view of the Fuji volcano, but this time the Torii Gate is in the center. This characteristic element of Japanese architecture literally means: a perch, a place for birds. The Torii Gate is a symbol leading to sacred places, e.g. shrines in the Shinto religion, in which birds are considered messengers of the gods/kami, i.e. passing through such a gate means entering the infinite/divine world. There may be several torii gates within the shrines, and depending on their size, we read the level of holiness and approach to the goal. Single gates found in lakes, rocks or meadows are also the norm, because they are built where the gods live. Gates are most often made of wood and stone, they are two pillars connected by two transverse beams in the upper part of the whole. The largest Torii Gate is located on Miyajima Island, 16 meters high.