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futabashira torii 二柱鳥居. A generic name for a Shinto gate *torii
鳥居, that has straight horizontal members. The simplest type of torii comprised
of four circular members: two pillars normally set perpendicular to the ground
but sometimes with slight inward incline, *uchikorobi
内転, a top lintel *kasagi
笠木, and a tie beam *nuki 貫,
inserted into the pillars. Until fairly recently the pillars were embedded into
the ground *hottatebashira
堀立柱, to a depth of about 7 feet to insure stability. However, the bases of the
pillars were subject to decay necessitating a more protective method. The solution
devised was to rest the bottom of the pillar directly on the soil, on a base called
a negarami 根搦, or on a square plate called a *shikiban
敷盤. Another method of strengthening the pillar was to use braces bolted to the
shaft and to the base of the gate. Another method used thick planks joined at
right angles to form a base for the pillar tenons, with the planks secured by
cross lap joints *aigaki
相欠, strengthened by tenons *hozo
ほぞ. Another method is to make a stone doughnut-shaped base which is cut in half
so that the circumference of the inner circle can fit snugly around the pillar
to hold it firmly. After joining the two halves the entire base is plastered.
If this method is used, the bottom of the pillar rests directly on the soil. These
newer methods retard deterioration of wooden pillars and also add stability, thereby
reducing the need to embed the pillar into the ground more than one third its
total length. Variations of this most fundamental type of shinmei torii
include some that have wedges added to strengthen the connection with the tie
beam. Others have rectangular tie beams which sometimes penetrate the pillars
and extend beyond the outer edge. Still others have a strut gakutsuka 額束,
that joins the center of the circular top lintel and the rectangular tie beam.
Some have pentagonal top lintels and base stones *kamebara
亀腹, or wraps *nemaki 根巻.
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