A threshold sheathed in copper
The Copper Torii (Dotorii) of Tarobogu Aga Shrine marks a threshold on the way up Mount Akagami, a gateway that separates the everyday from the sacred. Erected in 1957, it is recorded with a timber core and a span of about 1.8 metres, its surfaces clad in copper that gives the gate its name and its slow shift toward green as the metal ages.
The meaning of passing through
A torii is not merely decorative; passing beneath it is understood as entering the domain of the kami. On a shrine reached by 742 stone steps, gateways punctuate the ascent, turning a physical climb into a staged approach. The Copper Torii was listed as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2019 for contributing to the historic landscape of the mountain.
A note on materials
Copper cladding over a wooden frame is a practical choice for a gate exposed to mountain weather, protecting the timber while lending a distinctive sheen. Postwar in date, the gate is among the more recent of the shrine's registered structures, showing that the precinct kept building and renewing into the Showa era. Standing beneath it, with the steps rising ahead, gives a clear sense of crossing from one kind of ground to another.
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Q&A
- Why is it called the Copper Torii?
- Its surfaces are clad in copper over a wooden core, which gives the gate its name and its weathered green tone.
- When was it erected?
- In 1957 (Showa 32), making it one of the more recent of the shrine's registered structures. It was registered as a Cultural Property in 2019.
- What does passing through a torii mean?
- It marks entry into the domain of the kami, the boundary between everyday space and sacred precinct.
- How wide is the gate?
- It has a span of about 1.8 metres and stands on the ascent up Mount Akagami.
Basic Information
| Name | 銅鳥居 (Copper Torii (Dotorii)) |
|---|---|
| Location | Higashiomi, Shiga Prefecture (滋賀県東近江市小脇町2247) |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property; registered 10 September 2019 (Reiwa 1); registration no. 25-434 |
| Registration criterion | Contributing to the historic landscape |
| Date | 昭和32年（1957年） |
| Structure | copper-clad torii gate on a wooden core, ~1.8 m span |
| Owner | Aga Shrine (religious corporation) |
| Access / viewing | Part of the Tarobogu Aga Shrine precinct on Mount Akagami; grounds open to visitors. 742 stone steps from the base; a mid-slope car park shortens the climb. |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, National Cultural Properties Database — Copper Torii
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012951
- Tarobogu Aga Shrine — official website
- https://tarobo.sakura.ne.jp/
- Shiga Tourism Official Site — Tarobogu (Aga Shrine)
- https://www.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/1258/
Last verified: 2026.07.05