Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun The gateway of a Shinto shrine, consisting of a pair of posts supporting two horizontal crosspieces, the higher of which is longer and has upturned ends.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A form of decorative gateway or portal found in Japan.
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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A torii is a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine.
Torii Papercraft | Papercraft Paradise | PaperCrafts | Paper Models | Card Models Michael James 2010
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It is appropriate that the one evidence of man in the 46 photographs at Klotz is an off-kilter torii in "Landscape 37" 2010; a torii is a ceremonial Japanese gateway that marks the entrance to a sacred space.
Taking Nature's Refuge William Meyers 2011
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Shinto practice is concerned with maintaining the connection between past and present, and the forces of nature, so the torii isn't out of place.
Taking Nature's Refuge William Meyers 2011
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In Takeshi Shikama's image the torii is on a slope where it blends in with the trees, shrubs and rocks.
Taking Nature's Refuge William Meyers 2011
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He passed the torii gate that led to the shrine of Susanoo, kami of storms and the god in whose hands lay the lives of all fishermen.
Blood Ninja II Nick Lake 2010
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On the other side of the bay, beyond the houses, Taro could just make out the other torii gate—the one that announced the shrine of Benten, the Princess of the Hidden Waters, who protected the amas.
Blood Ninja II Nick Lake 2010
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There, he found a pagoda surrounded by green-painted torii on four sides, and coursed by a glistening stream with fat koi.
The Fox in the Garden Kyt Dotson 2010
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He passed the torii gate that led to the shrine of Susanoo, kami of storms and the god in whose hands lay the lives of all fishermen.
Blood Ninja II Nick Lake 2010
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The presence of a torii at the entrance is usually the simplest way to identify Shinto shrines while a small torii icon represents them on Japanese road maps.
Torii Papercraft | Papercraft Paradise | PaperCrafts | Paper Models | Card Models Michael James 2010
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On the other side of the bay, beyond the houses, Taro could just make out the other torii gate—the one that announced the shrine of Benten, the Princess of the Hidden Waters, who protected the amas.
Blood Ninja II Nick Lake 2010
kschee1 commented on the word torii
How do I hear the offical pronunciation of a word. It is not in the pronunciation link
January 23, 2011
mtc commented on the word torii
I find it helpful to remember the meaning of "torii" through the image of the gate itself, two "T" letters with curved tops.
May 31, 2013