Sanmon
Main entrance gate of a temple
PilgrimageTemples
Sanmon (山門), literally the mountain (山) gate (門), is the main gateway marking the entrance to temples along the Shikoku pilgrimage.
They usually feature a single entrance bay and should not be confused with Zen triple-arched gates (sanmon 三門).
Passing through the sanmon symbolizes leaving the mundane, secular world behind and stepping into sacred space.
- In English
- Temple's main entrance gate
- Other spellings
- san-mon
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