Red Star Gates (赤星鳥居)

/**Describe a religious monument (built or natural) which people of your world wish to visit at least once in their lifetime**/

Purpose / Function

Built as an entrance to the Red Star Shrine Complex, a collection of religious buidlings that honor various Kami, as well as house the names of the dead in recent conflicts. The complex must be entered via EVA, and ships are not allowed near the perimiter nor at or near the gates.

Architecture

The large steel gates are painted a deep red and look like pairs of Torii gates connected at their respective bases. Worshippers bow towards the center and enter on their own left side. The hollowed asteroid that surrounds the complex is lit via windows built into its sides. The Torii gate is free floating and maintains its position via nearly invsible RCS thrusters.

History

This was the very first religious monument built in open space, at the Mars L4 point. Initially a simple symbol of Japan at a far outpost in early mining operations, the fall of Japan to the UNR sparked a Shinto revival that was felt very strongly in the Red Star Circuit. Over time, the simple double sided Torii gate was given a hollowed out asteroid to house a shrine. The asteroid was later outfitted with huge windows and reinforcements to support more shrines and a small graveyard. Now, even some Confederate servicemembers are honored here at the behest of their families and with approval from the local priesthood.

Tourism

Non-Shinto practicing Terriformists frequent this site, but rarely pass through the gates, being satisfied at seeing the outside of the complex and admiring from afar. Shinto in the Red Star Circuit visit this site upon graduation from middle school. Some tourists also make a pilgramage from Kasei, especially those with honored dead here.

Founding Date

Gates built in late 2074, Complex complete in the late 2170s

Alternative Names

Akaseitorii

Type

Temple / Religious complex

Owning Organization

Japan