Torii gate overview
The torii gate is a traditional Japanese portal that marks the boundary between the everyday world and sacred Shinto shrine grounds..
It symbolises you are entering a holy place for kami (natural spirits or Gods).
They generally consist of two vertical pillars and two top cross beams. They are often painted bright vermilion.
In Shinto and Buddhist traditions, the colour vermilion represents the power of fire and the sun. Additionally, it’s believed to repel evil spirits, bad luck, and disease. Moreover, before passing through the torii gate, visitors traditionally bow once.
In the first instance I made the torii gate top cross beam hollow to reduce the overall weight.
I then cut the two side panels to shape using 150x40mm planks. Additionally, we used 9mm plywood to cover the top and bottom. Clamps held everything together until the glue dried.
I fitted the lower cross beam side panels to the main crossbeam.
Next, I glued the assembly under the top beam.
I attached the lower cross beam to the main crossbeam by clamping it in position under the top cross beam with glue
I then began cutting the support poles for the torii gate.
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The completed top cross beam.
For simplicity, the assembly will slot down onto the support poles through the two holes in the bottom.
Here I’ve assembled the now undercoated top cross member with the support poles.
A rebate cut in the poles allowed the lower cross member to slide through.
For clarity, I’ve included this detailed side view of the torii gate to show how all the elements fit together.
Eventually, after painting the torii gate parts vermillion (Dulux Olga Sands), I set up support posts ready for concreting into position in the garden.
Following tradition, I painted the top cross member and the lower post sections black, torii gate style. Additionally, we positioned two small Chinese lions on either side.