Kamidana (household Shinto altar)
A kamidana designed for “A House in the Forest”.
We designed it ourselves, looking for a household shrine with a simple presence that sits naturally in a modern home. It follows the three-shrine (sansha-miya) form and can hold three Jingu Taima talismans. At just 165 mm deep overall, it sits neatly and slim against the wall.
It is made of solid keyaki (zelkova) and assembled by sashimono joinery, without any metal fittings. Sashimono is a traditional technique in which the joints can be undone and put together again. With proper care and repair, it can be used for generations.
It is made by the sashimono craftsman Mr. Masuda, who reads the nature of the wood and works each part with precision, finishing it by delicate handwork.
The ritual implements are also designed to suit the shrine. Vessels finished with care by a Mashiko potter are set on a plate carved from copper, giving them the dignity of ritual ware. The plate rests on a base carved from Ryukyu sandstone. The sakaki vases are copper too, polished to bring out the beauty of the material.
Wood, clay, copper, stone. Each material and each craft answers the others, and together they make a quiet place for prayer in daily life.
Materials and finish
The copper parts can be given a clear coat on request. Left uncoated, copper oxidizes through contact with air and moisture, and verdigris may appear in places. If you would like to enjoy that change of the material, please ask for it uncoated.
Fine scratches may also occur while the copper is worked. The ceramic ritual vessels are likewise made one by one by hand, so shape, colour and the look of the glaze differ from piece to piece.
We hope you will accept these differences, which come from the materials and the making, as individual expressions, and enjoy the texture that only handwork gives.
This product is made after your order. Please contact us individually about price and delivery.