登竜門

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 登竜門 (とうりゅうもん) is a noun metaphorically describing a key gateway through which newcomers advance to wider recognition.
• Basic usage: 新人賞は登竜門とされる evaluates an award as a gateway for young writers, while 地方大会を登竜門にする sets a tournament’s intended role in athlete development.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Established gateway and intended gateway
  • 登竜門とされる reports an established social appraisal, whereas 登竜門にしたい expresses an intention to create that function. The noun is not a literal gate or building.