Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The approach to any Shinto shrine is the Sandō (
参道
; lit. “visiting road”), which is the
route or pathway to the shrine. In the case of certain, sometimes large, shrines, there may be
a “front” passage (
表参道
;
omoté-sandō
) if it is the main entrance, or a “rear” passage (
裏参道
;
ura-sandō
) if it is a secondary entrance. In the case of the Futenma shrine, the Sandō is the
flight of stairs leading up to the shrine.
Whether it is a primary or a secondary entrance, almost always the Sandō will be crossed
or straddled with a
torii
(
鳥居
; lit. “bird perch”) gate or perhaps several
torii
gates. A
torii
is
a stylized traditional arch often erected in places of importance to keep bad luck or evil spir-
its away. The Sandō may also be lined with stone lanterns or other decorations of a spiritual
nature. At the base of the stairs at Futenma, there is a
torii
, and this is typical. Shinto shrines
can always be recognized because they employ a
torii
at the entrance. The idea is that all vis-
itors must pass under the
torii
because it symbolically marks one's passing from the secular
world to the sacred.
A hand-washing station is always located near the entrance to a Shinto shrine.
Somewhere along the way, worshippers will come to a hand-washing station called a
chōzuya
or
temizu-sha
(
手水舎
; figuratively, a ritual ablution). One uses the ladle to pour
fresh water over the left hand first, then the right, taking care not to allow the “dirty” water to
fall back into the well or basin. Let it fall to the side, usually on rocks below. Serious patrons
may rinse out their mouths as well, taking care not to drink the water nor to spit it back into
the source. The ladle handle itself may be rinsed with any remaining water in the cup and
placed opening down on the rack where it is kept.
