The Granite Torii of Nogi Shrine
The Nogi Shrine Torii (乃木神社鳥居) is a stone torii of 1937 in Bunkyocho, Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on February 14, 2002 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a stone torii 3 metres high and 3 metres wide; registration number 37-0089.
A Shinmei Torii in Granite
The Nogi Shrine Torii is a granite gateway whose pillars are 55 centimetres across (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The Agency's commentary puts the span between the pillars at about 5 metres, while the registration data give it as 3 metres high and 3 metres wide.
It is a shinmei torii, made only of straight members, with the tie beam (Nuki) held within the pillars rather than passing through and out beyond them (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The choice follows the Shinmei-zukuri style of the shrine's main hall.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it as a structure that has become a model of design, noting that it answers the shinmei-style main hall with straight members and a tie beam kept within the pillars (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
Check that the ends of the tie beam stop at the pillars (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Set against the more common Myōjin torii, with its upswept top beam and protruding tie beam, the all-straight outline is easy to read. Up close, the thick granite pillars have real weight.
Visiting
The Nogi Shrine Torii stands roughly halfway along the approach from the Shikoku Gakuin University side, just before the path jogs at right angles in front of the shrine office (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The chozuya pavilion is immediately to the left once you pass through.
Q&A
- When was the Nogi Shrine Torii built?
- In 1937, according to the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
- What type of torii is the Nogi Shrine Torii?
- A shinmei torii of straight members, with the tie beam kept within the pillars (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How big is the Nogi Shrine Torii?
- The registration data give 3 metres high and 3 metres wide; the commentary gives pillars 55 centimetres across and about 5 metres between them (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is the Nogi Shrine Torii?
- Roughly halfway along the approach from the Shikoku Gakuin University side, before the path turns at the shrine office (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Nogi Shrine Torii registered?
- On February 14, 2002 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Nogi Shrine Torii (乃木神社鳥居) |
|---|---|
| Location | 4-4-5 Bunkyocho, Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2002/02/14 (Heisei 14) |
| Quantity | 1 torii |
| Dimensions | Stone, 3 m high, 3 m wide |
| Owner | Sanuki-gu (Kagawa Gokoku Shrine) |
| Public Access | Exterior viewable from the grounds (no information on interior access) |
References
- Nogi Shrine Torii (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00002691
- Nogi Shrine, Zentsuji Digital Museum (Zentsuji City, Japanese)
- https://www.city.zentsuji.kagawa.jp/soshiki/50/digi-m-culture-detail-049-index.html
Last verified: 2026.10.20
