The 1000 Torii at Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine

Description

The Senbon Torii are a series of gates that lead through the woods surrounding Fushimi Inari shrine near Kyoto. This is one of the most important sacred places of the Shinto religion. Torii are often found at the entrances of Shinto shrines, but not in the number present here which is, as indicated by the name Senbon Torii, close to 1,000. Teruhide Kato depicts the torii in his usual balance between realism and abstraction. The subject matter lends itself well to Teruhide's art, as he often chooses a perspective that enhances depth and brings the viewer into the scene itself, both qualities that are naturally suited to any vantage point along the nearly 1,000 torii.