These structures, which are typically either unpainted or painted vermilion and black, may have evolved out of the tradition of hanging rice straw rope.
One of these structures is sometimes depicted on the head of a syncretic form of Saraswati known as Benzaiten (ben-zye-ten). One of these structures sits atop a large rock that is "married" to a smaller rock by a large, elaborately knotted rope. Depending on the tradition, the beginning of a sando (sahn-doh) is marked by either a sanmon (sahn-mohn) or this similar but simpler structure. These structures, which are typically either unpainted or painted vermilion and black, may have evolved out of the tradition of hanging rice straw rope. They are named for "sacred birds" and typically consist of two pillars topped by an upper lintel and a lower tie beam. For 10 points, what structures, which provide a transition to the sacred environs of a Shinto temple, are traditional Japanese wooden gates?
One of these structures is sometimes depicted on the head of a syncretic form of Saraswati known as Benzaiten (ben-zye-ten).
torii gates [prompt on "gates" before "gates"]