CASE-REAL renovates japanese shrine with gold and pink terrazzo tiles

CASE-REAL has renovated the dazaifu tenmangu shrine, located in dazaifu city, fukuoka, designing anew its jyuyosho – the kiosks located on each side of the tower gate leading to the main hall of the tenmangu, where japanese amulets (omamori) are granted to visitors. each kiosk corresponds to a different shrine: the tenkai-inari shrine in the north-east of the precinct, which is worshiped as a god for ‘harvest and business’ and is linked to the gold color; and the homangu-kamado shrine, which is further north east of the tenmangu on the mountain side, worshiped for ‘match-making and marriage’, and linked to the pink color of the cherry blossom flowers, which are also used in the shrine’s crest.

all images by hiroshi mizusaki

CASE-REAL has renovated the kiosks with a design that blends in with the original wooden structure, while portraying the main color of each shrine. while almost identical at first sight, the two small structures by the tower gate each portray the character of its corresponding shrine, through gold and pink colored terrazzo tiles. the material has been mixed with rocks, and used to create the counters of the jyuyosho, where items such as the charms can be placed, while it also covers the background walls. a brass system of shelves has been hung on the wall of each kiosk to display items, while the entire design can change flexibly depending on different festivals and celebrations that take place.

project info:

architect: CASE-REAL

type of project: renovation

floor area: 18.46 m2

location: fukuoka, japan

team: koichi futatusmata, koichi shimohira, sanae furusato(CASE-REAL)

construction: ob

lighting: branch lighting design (tatsuki nakamura)