Ichihara Shrine First Torii Gate

What the Ichihara Shrine First Torii Gate is

The Ichihara Shrine First Torii Gate (櫟原神社一の鳥居, Ichihara Jinja Ichi-no-Torii) is a stone torii dated 1860 at the western side of the precinct of Ichihara Shrine in Shinmeicho, Namerikawa City, Toyama Prefecture, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2017.

It is a Myōjin torii, 4.6 m wide and 4.5 m high. Its pillars lean slightly inward, a profile known as Uchikorobi, and are joined by a Nuki tie beam with a short central strut, the gakuzuka, standing at its middle. A daiwa, a ring-like collar, caps each pillar and carries the shimaki lintel and the Kasagi top beam above it.

It is the oldest of the shrine's four registered structures, a gate from the last years of the Edo period that predates the present main hall of 1872 by 12 years.

Why the Ichihara Shrine First Torii Gate was registered

The Ichihara Shrine First Torii Gate was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on June 28, 2017, along with the main hall, worship hall and second torii. It was recognised for contributing to the historic landscape of the country.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs values it as a torii that keeps alive the historic scenery along the Hokuriku Road. Old Namerikawa grew up on both sides of that highway, and according to Namerikawa City the shrine grounds meet the road on their south side. Among the houses lining the old road, the Ichihara Shrine First Torii Gate is what has marked the way into the shrine.

As a structure, its point of interest is at the top of the pillars. The daiwa sits between each pillar and the lintel, adding a distinct break at the head of the post that keeps the outline of the gate clear even from a distance.

What to look for at the Ichihara Shrine First Torii Gate

Before standing beneath it, step back and check the lean of the pillars. Because they draw inward as they rise, the 4.5 m gate looks settled and broad at the base.

Then read the layers at the top. The daiwa collars receive the pillar heads, and the shimaki and kasagi stack above them in two tiers. The gakuzuka at the centre of the tie beam is where a tablet bearing the shrine's name is hung, so look up to read it on site.

Once through, pay attention to the turn in the path. The Agency's description says the way from the first torii to the worship hall bends at a right angle, the Kaneore layout. The second torii and the worship hall only come into view after the bend, which is the moment the relationship between the two gates becomes clear.

Visiting the Ichihara Shrine First Torii Gate

The Ichihara Shrine First Torii Gate is an outdoor gate at the entrance to the precinct, and no special arrangements appear to be needed to see it. People pass beneath it on their way to pray, so keep out of their way when taking pictures.

To fit the full 4.6 m width into one frame, stand back a little in front of the gate. The grounds face the old Hokuriku Road, which carries traffic, so avoid stopping in the roadway. Refrain from photography during rituals.