Torii of Itsukushima
From Archiplanet
 | Torii of Itsukushima |
| Designer | unknown |
| Location | Miyajima Island, Japan |
| Date | |
| Building Type | temple monument |
| Climate | warm temperate |
| Context | rural sea coast |
| Architectural Style | Japanese Shinto Traditional |
| Street Address | |
| Notes | A simple and powerful symbolic gateway. |
| At Great Buildings | http://www.GreatBuildings.com/buildings/Torii_of_Itsukushima.html |
Contents |
Images
Discussion
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites | |
| Name | Itsukushima Shinto Shrine |
| UNESCO State Party | Japan |
| Region | Asia-Pacific |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iv, vi |
| UNESCO Site ID | 776 |
| Year of Listing | 1996 |
Commentary
The Torii, or Gateway, at Miyajima Island is a classic and beloved icon of Japan, as well as a condensed essence of traditional Japanese architectural expression. This grand wooden gateway, both sturdy and graceful, sits in the tidal flats before the historic Buddist temple complex of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima island, in the same region as the city of Hiroshima in Japan.
Built on axis with the sea-facing shrine, the gate serves to welcome spirits of the departed as they come in across the water of Japan's Inland Sea. At low tide, visitors walk around the great columns of the structure, measuring its great size against the human body. At high tide, the rugged vermillion gateway seems to float in the waves around it, a gateway for boats, or for spirits indeed.
—Kevin Matthews
| Building Details |
Related Content from Wikipedia
Itsukushima Shrine
Itsukushima Shrine (Japanese: 厳島神社, Itsukushima Jinja) is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima) in the city of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Japanese government has designated several buildings and possessions as national treasures.
The shrine dates back to the 6th century, and has been in its present form since 1168 when funds were provided by the warlord Taira no Kiyomori. The shrine's construction, consisting of pier-like structures built over the bay, is due to the holy status that the island once commanded. Commoners were historically not allowed to set foot on the island, and had to approach by boat, entering through the gate that appears to float. Beside the shrine is a noh stage.
The dramatic gate ( torii) of Itsukushima Shrine is one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions , and the view of the gate in front of the island's Mount Misen is classified as one of the Three Views of Japan (along with the sand bar Amanohashidate, and Matsushima Bay). The gate has existed since 1168, though the current gate dates back to 1875. The gate, built of camphor wood, is about 16 metres high and was built in a four-legged style to provide additional stability.
The gate only appears to be floating at high tide; when the tide is low, the gate is surrounded by mud and can be accessed on foot from the island. It is common practice for visitors to place coins in the cracks of the legs of the gate and make a wish. Gathering shellfish near the gate is also popular at low tide. At night, powerful lights on the shore illuminate the gate.
Retaining the purity of the shrine is so important that since 1878, no deaths or births were permitted at the shrine. To this day, burials on the island are still forbidden.
On September 5, 2004, the shrine was severely damaged by Typhoon Songda. The boardwalks and roof were partially destroyed, leading to its temporary closure.
Gallery
References
External links
zh-min-nan:Itukusima Sîn-siā cs:Svatyně Icukušima de:Itsukushima-Schrein eo:Itsukushima-Sanktejo fr:Itsukushima-jinja he:מקדש השינטו באיטסוקושימה ko:이쓰쿠시마 신사 id:Kuil Itsukushima it:Santuario di Itsukushima ka:იცუკუსიმას ტაძარი ja:厳島神社 nl:Itsukushima-schrijn pl:Chram Itsukushima pt:Santuário de Itsukushima ru:Ицукусима fi:Itsukushima sv:Itsukushima th:ศาลเจ้าอิสึกุชิมะ vi:Đền Itsukushima tr:Itsukuşima Tapınağı uk:Святилище Іцукусіма zh:嚴島神社
Maps
References
Kevin Matthews, Matthews Associates. Slides from photographer's collection.
External Links
