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I would like to introduce some background information on Japanese culture for non-Japanese readers to deepen their understanding of the story when reading "Kamisama Kiss".
Today's topic is "Torii".
Why does Tomoe want to cut the branches of the tree covering the torii? (Vol.5, #26)
"The branch is beginning to cover the Torii.....so I was thinking about cutting it." (Vol.5, #26)
A torii is a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine, where it symbolically marks the transition from the mundane to the sacred.
The presence of a torii at the entrance is usually the simplest way to identify Shinto shrines, and a small torii icon represents them on Japanese road maps.
The function of a torii is to mark the entrance to a sacred space. For this reason, the road leading to a Shinto shrine (sandō) is almost always straddled by one or more torii, which are therefore the easiest way to distinguish a shrine from a Buddhist temple. If the sandō passes under multiple torii, the outer of them is called ichi no torii (一の鳥居, first torii). The following ones, closer to the shrine, are usually called, in order, ni no torii (二の鳥居, second torii) and san no torii (三の鳥居, third torii). Other torii can be found farther into the shrine to represent increasing levels of holiness as one nears the inner sanctuary (honden), core of the shrine. Also, because of the strong relationship between Shinto shrines and the Japanese Imperial family, a torii stands also in front of the tomb of each Emperor.
As being said, the torii is sacred and it is the entrance to a sacred space for worshipers. That's why Tomoe wanted to cut the branches of the tree over the torii so that worshipers could clearly see the torii.
"The Torii is clear today, too." (Vol.5, #28)
(I wasn't looking at the branch...and I simply wished that Tomoe be rewarded for his efforts. I didn't see it as my own problem...)
(By standing in your place I was finally able to realize that.)
"The Torii is clear today, too."
(Vol.5, #28)
At first Nanami did not see it as her own problem, but she later found that it was her own problem.
Kami of Mikage Shrine is now Nanami, and worshipers come to worship her. If the worshipers cannot see the torii clearly, it is a problem that lies between the worshipers and Nanami. She finally realized that. This is also a sign that Nanami has grown as Kami.
