erratic

> Shinto (“the way of the gods”) is Japan’s earliest religion – the religion of the hunters and gatherers and rice farmers who first came to Japan.

> According to Shinto belief, nature is filled with spirits or “kami” which influence the lives of humans, and therefore sacrifices and respect are given to them. The Japanese once believed that they were descended from the gods and the emperor was a direct descendant of the Sun Goddess.
(source)

The Torii (o-torii) is an entryway into a spiritual place. An exaggerated perch for the gods’ fax machines with wings. Also a token of gratitude from those with wealth aplenty.

It is a fitting historical example of the aesthetic that tickles my asian architecture fetish. I love pointy eaves and such.