Torii（　鳥居　）

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Summary Birdhouses are a tradition that existed even before shrines were built. In Japan, they have always been known as "on top of the roofless gate" or "uefukazu mikado". The term "birdhouse" is derived from the Chinese concept of "huabiao", which means flower gate. The birdhouse is commonly seen as a symbol of shrines but can also be found at Buddhist temples (see Shinto-Buddhist syncretism). On the other hand, there are shrines without birdhouses and with towers called "soudaimon". Due to post-war urban planning, some birdhouses have become isolated from their surrounding environment. In terms of design, birdhouses can serve as a family crest or clan emblem for Shinto priests and nobles. In modern times, they can also be used as a symbol on maps to represent shrines. According to popular belief, throwing stones onto the roof of a birdhouse will make one's wishes come true. Birdhouses are counted as "1 base" or "2 bases". When multiple birdhouses exist along a single path, they are called "the first birdhouse", "the second birdhouse", and so on. The town in front of a shrine is sometimes referred to as "birdhouse street". The birdhouses at shrines such as Inari Shrine are typically red because this color represents life and vitality, which was believed to ward off evil spirits.