Japanese Torii Gate for the Garden

[Blu_Rock]

I made this Japanese torii gate about 3 years ago and it is still in good shape. I will give it a fill and sand next spring and a fresh coat of vermillion. A torii gate marks the approach and entrance to a Shinto shrine. It is the division between the physical and spiritual worlds. Shinto is a native religion of Japan and was once its state religion. Probably the most famous torii is the one at Itsukushima Shrine located at Miyajima, near Hiroshima. Mine is a little more modest and I have placed it at the entrance to what will become a Japanese-style garden area at the rear of my backyard.

All torii gates are made up of three horizontal components:
- Kasagi: The very top beam of a torii gate. These beams can be straight or curved.
- Shimagi: A second beam directly underneath the kasagi in more complex forms of torii gates. Their ends are either straight or cut with an inward slant and the overall shape of the beam is that of an upside down trapezoid.
- Nuki: The secondary beam of a torii gate. On more complex torii gates, it is held in place by kusabi (wedges). This beam is always straight.

The other components of a torii are the:
- Hashira: The supporting pillars of the torii gate
- Gakuzuka: A centre post that connects the Nuki & Shimagi (optional)
- Kusabi: A wedge used to hold the Nuki in place (optional)

The Shimagi is usually placed below the lintels at a distance about equal to the diameter of the pillars. The dimensions that I ended up choosing for my torii are somewhat of a trade-off given the thickness of my Hashiras (poles).

I wanted to build a decent-sized torii so I hunted around for some large posts to use for the Hashiras. I was hoping to use hardwood but found that they were too expensive. I settled for treated pine posts and used 150mm x 3m lengths. I was very selective when I chose them as many are shaped like bananas and others are badly knotted and split. I used a chisel to start the mortise slots in either side of the posts and then used a large drill to drill through the posts and remove the bulk of the timber from the slots. I spent a bit of time hand-finishing the mortises with a chisel and made sure that the Nuki would slide freely through the slots.

The logs, by nature, have numerous splits and, although I had chosen carefully, there were many both small and medium sized splits in them. I filled and sanded the logs three times over to get a reasonably smooth finish on the timber and this was the most tedious part of the construction. Note the jig I used to hold the poles while I painted them. This allowed me to spin the poles while painting them with a roller.

For the Kasagi, Shimagi and Nuki, I elected to use second-hand oregon as I wanted to use wood that was dimensionally stable and was not going to either twist or warp with age. I was lucky enough to source all this timber very cheaply and only paid about $20 for the lot. I cut the timber to length and had it professionally dressed all round for $33. I cut the shape of the upper-most piece of timber, the Kasagi, by using a table saw to cut the parallel portion and used a hand saw to finish off the ends.

The whole structure is bolted together with galvanised coach screws and washers, four long screws through the Shimagi into the end of the logs (two at either end) and one 100mm screw through either log to lock the Nuki into place.

Once everything was painted and ready for assembly, I dug two holes about 700 mm deep and 350 mm in diameter in order to concrete the structure firmly into the ground. I then filled the holes with about 100mm gravel to form a base for the poles. The torii was then assembled on the ground in front of the holes and the coach screws done up snugly. With the kind assistance of my cousin, we lifted the torii vertical and then carefully lowered the posts into the holes. We attached the temporary supporting braces to torii in order to stabilise it while the concrete cured.
I then ensured that the posts were standing vertically and that all looked good. This took some time to get it all true. We then filled in the holes with concrete. Note that the level of the concrete falls away from the poles in an attempt to stop water pooling around the poles and causing them to rot prematurely.

The Kasagi is held in place by a piece of 30mm quad screwed into place with galvanised screws, at about 150mm centres, from the rear. The Gakuzuka is secured with a 20mm mortise and tenon joint at either end and I skew nailed it to the Nuki prior to painting.

While I was in Japan a number of years ago, I bought a nice little brass plate inscribed with two characters that translate to fresh and fragrant and have attached this to the Gakuzuka using some small brass screws.

[RufflyRustic]

Now that is pretty darn impressive! Is it sited in your backyard or somewhere else? Must be a pretty good feeling to be able to use the special brass plate at last )

cheers
Wendy

[Blu_Rock]

Wendy, yes, it's in my backyard. Originally, I wanted to make it even bigger but once I threw it up, I was glad that I hadn't because it is pretty imposing as it is ... big and red. Just about everyone who has been in the backyard comments on what an impression it makes. As a bonus, it's also reflected fairly strongly in the house's rear windows so it keeps on giving no matter what way you are facing.

[RufflyRustic]

Hi Blu_Rock

That sounds amazing. Have you built any other works or intend on doing so? Or even perhaps, further development in your garden?

There's something very restful about some aspects of Japanese styles, whether it's the cherry tree blossoms, or gates or other designs.

cheers
Wendy

[Blu_Rock]

In my front yard, I have made a bamboo/oregon Japanese-inspired screen that partially surrounds a courtyard. The frame is made from oregon and the screens are bamboo blinds that I treated with linseed oil. The screen has been up for 12+ years and although it looks a little ratty at the moment, it will come up OK with a fresh application of oil and stain.
In the courtyard, I have made a steel screen (that is reminiscent of a Japanese shoji screen) using scrap steel plates. It lies behind a lovely Japanese maple that has a striking red trunk during the winter months.

In the backyard, I also have a steel arch made from the same scrap steel plates. The first photo was taken after it had been up for a couple of months and you can see a pair of potato vines climbing up the sides. The second photo was taken a couple of months later and as you can see, they are totally out of control. They had to go and I have replaced them with a single jasmine.

The next photo shows both the arch and the torii, taken a couple of years ago. The second last photo shows the torii at night, illuminated. The last photo was taken a month ago after some much need rain and everything is looking green. The decking the foreground is currently under construction and I am slowly progressing with that project. Its thread is here.

The next project, after the deck is done, will be to attach a fascade onto the tin shed at the rear of the garden to make it look like a Japanese teahouse.

[RufflyRustic]

Wow - I love the second last picture. Very effective Very nice work on the garden features. I totally agree, that a facade on the shed will tie in that corner to your overall theme.

cheers
Wendy

[Termite]

My Bonsai house.

[RufflyRustic]

Hi Termite,

Your Bonsai are housed in fine style! And is that the edge of an outdoor seat I can spot at the LHS of the picture? It looks like a great spot to enjoy that area.

cheers
Wendy

[Bleedin Thumb]

Termite you should get rid of the turf and put a Zen raked gravel garden at the entrance to your Bonsai House or at least some Japanese inspired landscaping - its a nice space.

[Blu_Rock]

Termite, the house looks great. I especially like the roof detail. Your lawn is looking nice too... mine now looks dead ... at least it doesn't need much mowing.

[fenderbelly]

Blu-Rock---Termite

i think you've both done a great job there guys.

Like RR i think the night time shot is outstanding

[Termite]

Termite you should get rid of the turf and put a Zen raked gravel garden at the entrance to your Bonsai House or at least some Japanese inspired landscaping - its a nice space.

I compromised, the raked gravel is underneath.