The torii, just offshore of Itsukushima, marks the entrance to a sacred space. When the tide is high, the torii appears to be floating on the water.

"[The priest] also explained that the huge O-Torii (Photo Right) has no bracing structures and remains standing upright in the soft tidal flat purely by the downward force of its own massive weight. In addition, he said that the formation of the piers is designed to protect the shrine from the storm surges of frequent typhoons, such as the one that caused heavy damage on the island three years ago." (Ferrar)