Refers to the principal entrance gate of a Buddhist temple, shrine complex, or sometimes a large traditional estate. Not used for ordinary houses.
The temple's main gate was built in the Edo period.
Standard kanji spelling for the main gate of a temple or large estate.
Variant kanji form; 惣 is an older character sometimes used in historical or temple names.
Compound of 総 (そう, 'overall, general') and 門 (もん, 'gate'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term has been used since at least the Edo period for the main entrance of temple complexes.