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A Quiet Moment at Cape Mihama: Torii by the Sea
神域への朱き門：諸口神社の鳥居
Tucked away on the edge of Cape Mihama, just where the trees meet the sea, stands a vivid vermilion torii gate that immediately catches your eye. It's perched at the very edge of a narrow sandy beach, gazing out over the calm, turquoise waters of Heda Port. There's something serene yet powerful about its presence—like it is standing guard over both land and sea.
This gate marks the entrance to Moroguchi Shrine, which lies hidden deeper in the quiet forest just beyond. Like most torii, it serves as a symbolic threshold—crossing it means leaving behind the everyday world and stepping into a sacred space.
What I find especially interesting is the specific design of this torii. It’s known as a myōjin torii (明神鳥居), a style that’s been around since the 9th century. You can recognize it by the way the top lintels curve gracefully upward at the ends—it gives the whole structure a kind of buoyant elegance. Unlike the simpler shinmei torii (神明鳥居) style, this one also has a secondary lintel beneath the main one, and a central support strut hidden behind a framed plaque that bears the shrine’s name.
Traditionally, these gates were made of wood, but nowadays it’s common to see concrete versions like this one, built to last longer, especially in coastal environments where the elements can be tough. The vibrant vermilion paint isn’t just for show either—it’s believed to ward off evil spirits. On a more practical level, it’s made from cinnabar (mercuric sulfide), which has natural preservative qualities that protect the gate from insects and decay. A perfect blend of spirituality and science.
Standing here, with the sea breeze on my face and the sound of the water lapping gently at the shore, it felt like time slowed down. There’s something really special about this quiet meeting point between land, water, and spirit.
- Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
- Timestamp: 2025/03/19・6:27
- Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
- 28 mm ISO 2500 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/5.0
- Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
- Timestamp: 2025/03/19・6:34
- Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
- 28 mm ISO 1600 for 1/500 sec. at ƒ/6.3
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