The Otorii

Designated as a National Cultural Asset in 1952.

Distance from Itsukushima Shrine is 212.7m, and from the Hitasaki is 173m.

　　　　　　from on a pleasure boat　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　you can see the Otorii through the purification hall

What is the Otorii

The Otorii is the boundary between the spirit world and the human world. In ancient times it served as a sea gate for those wishing to visit Itsukushima.

A legend about “torii, “tori” means bird, especially a rooster, “i” means existence or staying, therefore “torii”originally meant a perch.

According to one of the legends, Goddess “Ama-terasu” who was Goddess of the Sun, and an ancestor of the Emperor’s families, was annoyed with her brother’s really bad behavior. Because of this, she hid herself in a cave, called “Ama-no-Iwato”, and closed the entrance with a heavy rock.

Immediately the world became darkness, and a lot of unhappiness like illnesses and fights happened. Other Gods worried about this situations, and they arranged entertainments like dancing and singing to bring back
“Ama-terasu” Also they built a perch in front of the cave, and put a rooster called “Naga-naki-dori” on it, then they tried to make it cry loudly.

“Ama-terasu” suspected what was going on outside, so she slightly opened the rock to peep through. At that moment, "Tajikara-o” who was a God of great strength, opened the heavy rock door, and then the world became bright again.

It is said that after this incident it became usual, traditional to arranged ”torii” in front of shrines as a gate.

History of the Otorii

1168 The first Otorii was constructed by “Taira-no-Kiyomori”. It was the same year as Itsukushima Shrine was
　　　 constructed.

1268 The second Otorii was constructed.

1325 The second Otorii was knocked down by a typhoon.

1371 The third Otorii was constructed.

1547 The fourth Otorii was constructed with four support pillars instead of two.

1561 The fifth Otorii was constructed by Mori Motonari.

1739 The sixth Otorii was constructed by Asano Yoshinaga. (the fifth feudal lord of the Asano clan)

1776 The Sixth Otorii was knocked down by a lightning strike.

1801 The seventh Otorii was constructed by Asano Narikata. (the tenth feudal lord of the Asano clan)

1875 The eighth Otorii was constructed. (the current Otorii)

1950 a part of the bottom was repaired.

Dimensions

Height 　　　　　　 : 16.6m

Length of the roof 　　　 : 24.2m

Weight 　　　　　　 : 60tons

Circumference of the main pillar : 9.9m

Do you know how heavy a Shinkansen car is? It’s about 40tons, so the Otorii is heavier than a Shinkansen car.

Architecture style

Two main pillars supported by two small pillars each.

Material

Main pillar’s material : Naturally grown camphor tree, approximately 500 to 600 years old.

It said that camphor trees prevent decay, and repel insect invasions, for example mothballs are made from camphor trees.

Support pillar’s material (sode-bashira) : Natural cedar trees

Why is the Otorii able to endure the severe weather?

The base of the Otorii is not buried, but rather just place on the seabed.

It stands on it’s own, supported by it’s 60 tons of weight.

The box shaped beam under the roof is filled with about 7 tons of fist sized stones.

A lot of pine tree stakes were driven into the seabed under the Otorii , and also the foundations are strengthen with stones.

Custom made wedges are driven into the intersections where the pillars and roof meet. They help to keep its balance by allowing slight movements.

It stands on 6 pillars, each supporting each other.

You can see the custom made stakes