Go-Oh Shrine traces its origins back to the Muromachi (Ashikaga)

period (1338-1573). In recent years, however, the structure had

deteriorated considerably and was slated for reconstruction under the

Naoshima House Project. Called in as artist-designer, I avoided

existing shrine typologies and tried to recreate an imaginary

architecture more in keeping with ancient Japanese Shinto worship.

Prior to shinmyo-zukuri, the first Shinto architectural style formalized in

the seventh century, animist worship is thought to have focused on

sites in nature where some special quality or force was felt − ineffable

“power places” − whether in giant trees or waterfalls or boulders. The

ancient Japanese conceived of their kami or deities, as manifesting

themselves only when humans purified their “power places” for them.

Thus, my vision of Go-Oh Shrine started from the giant rock slob visited

by the local kami.

The shrine comprises three main parts: the Worship Hall, the Main

Sanctuary, and the Rock Chamber. The massive rock slab completely

cuts off the Worship Hall and the Main Sanctuary from the Rock

Chamber; only the “stairway of light” joins the celestial and earthbound

realms.

From the underground chamber, a concrete-walled passage leads to

the mountainside. Visitors to the shrine first worship at the divine

iwakura (stone seat) and shrine hall, then descend to the “ancient”

underground chamber via the concrete passage, lastly taking in a view

of the sea through the portal to the present on the way out.

- Hiroshi Sugimoto