NENDO RESPONDS TO THE JAPANESE CHANGING VIEW TOWARDS THE CONCEPT OF DEATH WITH A NEW DESIGN OF BUDDHIST ALTAR WHICH SERVES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO REMEMBER THE DEPARTED WHILE STILL EMBRACING EVERY ASPECT OF THE JAPANESE TRADITION
TEXT: PRATCHAYAPOL LERTWICHA
PHOTO: TSUNEHIKO OKAZAKI
(For Thai, press here)
Aside from the changes in the socioeconomic landscape of Japan that has gradually changed the way people view their lives, the concept of death, particularly surrounding how one mourns the departed is also shifting. A lot of Japanese people choose a new way to remember the dead. Obtaining and maintaining a tombstone in a cemetery has become unaccommodating with the escalating expenses. Japan-based design studio, nendo, comes up with a design of an altar that offers a new alternative to remember the departed while still embracing every aspect of the Japanese tradition.
oka is a Buddhist altar with a delicately understated and modern-looking design. It comes with all the needed functionalities equipped under the piece’s miniature terrain. The urn where the ashes are kept is hidden under the largest hill situated at the center of the altar. A small shallow pool to contain water and place flowers is present while there is the other small hollow functioning as a burner that catches the ash of the burning incense. The bell exists as a part of the altar’s minimalist landscape, and can be rung from a touch of a hand when a user is praying. Taking a step back, the entire design mimics the geographic attributes of natural hills and dales.
Not only that, nendo designs a jewelry set for a user to carry a small amount of ashes of the departed around the neck. The pendent is designed to be a component of the small hill and can be taken out if a user wishes. All and all, the piece is a powerful amalgamation of spiritual beliefs, traditions, and contemporary design.
