| Also
called hie torii 日吉鳥居, sougou torii 総合鳥居, hafu torii 破風鳥居
or gasshou torii 合掌鳥居. A wooden entrance gate at a Shinto shrine *torii
鳥居, characterized by a gable shaped structure composed of a central strut and
diagonal braces on each side and placed on top of the uppermost lintel *kasagi
笠木. At the peak of the gable is a very short member called a utou 烏頭,
torikabuto 鳥兜 or which karasugashira 烏頭 suggests a ridge. These
architectural elements have no structural significance but may symbolize a mountain
deity. Two characters may also be hidden within its bargeboard-like gable shape.
If the upper ends of the peak were to be turned to an upright position, the character
for mountain, yama/san 山 would be discernible. If the same members
were raised to a horizontal position the character for king, ou 王 would
be represented. Thus, the connotation of a mountain king could be extended to
mean a mountain deity. It is from these hidden characters that the name,
sannou 山王 is derived. Furthermore, sannou torii is located at the foot
of Mt. Hiei 比叡. Example: Hie Taisha 日吉大社, both the East and West
areas, Shiga prefecture. |
