Not a barrier, but a welcoming.

Ive walked through a few Torii gates this trip. At first I just strolled through, looking up ahead at the temple or shrine or whatnot.

But I learned.

It is a gateway. A liminal space. A threshold. Intended to separate the sacred from the mundane. A portal to mix the two. It is a reminder that such boundaries should be crossed with vermillion care and considered respect.

So. A bow before crossing. And a bow after leaving. And keep to one side to leave space for other beings.