Twee Torii-galerijen van het Fushimi Inari-taisha tempelcomplex in Kyoto, Japan before 1903

This photograph of vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine in Kyoto, Japan, was created by Kusakabe Kimbei, who lived from 1841 to 1934. Kimbei was a Japanese photographer, and his work provides a window into the visual culture of Japan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The gates here are not just architectural features but are also potent symbols of the transition from the mundane to the sacred. Fushimi Inari is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, fertility, and prosperity. The endless tunnel of torii reflects the enduring faith of the Japanese people, but also shows how the commercial success of devotees can be displayed. By examining photographs like these, alongside historical records and religious texts, we can understand the intertwining of faith, commerce, and artistic expression in Japanese culture.