torii

Where does the word "torii" come from? It comes from Japanese torii, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

Torii’s story begins in Japanese: torii meant “a sacred gate before a shrine.” Named the traditional gateway marking the entrance to a Shinto shrine. It reached English by 1800s as torii. The 'floating' torii of Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima is one of Japan's most famous sights. Today, torii means a traditional Japanese gate marking the entrance to a Shinto shrine.

1. Stage 1 · Japanese · ancient torii "a sacred gate before a shrine", named the traditional gateway marking the entrance to a Shinto shrine.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s torii "a traditional Japanese shrine gate", the 'floating' torii of Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima is one of Japan's most famous sights.