Bonsaifreak

I debated the red versus natural color when I built mine. Most if not all the tori gates in Japan are red (actually is a bright orange). No, I don't have a shinto shrine in my garden and people have not asked me if there is one behind the gate. My suggestion is, if you like it, go for it. If you want to paint it red, blue or magenta, go for it. It is your garden and you know what would look good in it. I find the dark red (barn red) color of the gate contrasts well with the greens and dark browns of the rest of my garden. People, including Japanese friends compliment me on it.

As far as the use of religious icons, I don't believe this is direspectful in any way just as I don't have any objections with people having a statue of St. Francis of Assissi in their garden...

God luck!

Jorge

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