A torii was a Rokugani gate that indicated the transition between the mundane and the sacred, [1] most commonly found at the entrance of a shrine. It was considered a mistake that the right foot did not cross the gate to touch the sacred ground before the left one. [2] Crossing beneath a torii arch helped prepare the mind and body for purification. Visitors were required to enter a shrine through the archway, and some shrines were fenced off so as to make the torii the only possible entrance. Sometimes a path run under multiple arches, forming a hall of sorts. Usually constructed from blessed wood, torii could also be made from stone or plated with rare metals. Often they were very simple, consisting of two columns topped with two horizontal beams, or elaborated, with pointed flanges, flared pillars, curved beams, and decorations like ropes, tags, and statues. If painted, torii were almost always a fiery red to repel malicious spirits. [3]
References
- ↑ Legend of the Five Rings - Roleplaying, p. 331
- ↑ Risen from the Flames, by Robert Denton III
- ↑ Emerald Empire: The Essential Guide to Rokugan, p. 153
![]() |
This magic or religion related article is a stub. That means that it has been started, but is incomplete. You can help by expanding this article. |