Usa Torii Gates

The torii gates at Usa Jingu have their own architectural style called the Usa torii, identifiable by the curved top lintel and two black rings circling each pillar beneath it. All gates on the shrine grounds follow this design. The tallest, the Otorii at 11.1 meters, was rebuilt in concrete in 1937 after a typhoon destroyed the previous one. The Jogu Shrine gate is considered the origin of the style and appears in documents from 1030, with records showing it was repaired in 1863. The original Otorii was built in 1111. The bright vermilion color across all the gates is traditional protection against misfortune.