Modern Buddhist Altar Design

9 Aug 2007 Category: Japan, Products

Modern Buddhist Altar Design

Modern elegance! A Buddhist altar by Yagiken: Its clean design lines match the hard-wood flooring in a way a traditional altar wouldn't that easily.

Since the Obon period is approaching, Japanese families are preparing to honour late relatives. So, unless you’re Buddhist, you might not be that familiar with a butsudan: This small altar is kept in a family home, used for paying reverence to passed away loved ones. Now, in your mind there might be an image of something imposing and gloomy, with lots of intricate wood carving. Wrong! Stylish “urban” Buddhist altars are designed today to match smaller apartments - and they’re getting quite popular. PingMag shows you the hot trends of this genuine aspect of Japanese lifestyle.

Written by Ryoko
Translated by Rie

Traditions…

The gorgeous golden ornaments and the elaborate carved wooden decorations that are traditionally found in Buddhist altars fit well with older Japanese houses with tatami floors and tiled roofs. Recently however, many Japanese families feel that these distinctive looks don’t match their modern living spaces, which have become very influenced by European design and furnishings. No wonder that more and more new urban Buddhist altars are being introduced: Though they have the same function as traditional ones, their designs have been updated to fit modern Japanese sensibilities.

Minimalist refinement

First case study: Japanese CURIOSITY, famous for designing everything from mobile phones and perfume bottles to shop interiors and buildings, was asked to design a Buddhist altar for an exhibition called “MIND GEAR.” Thinking of what a Buddhist would be, Curiosity’s designer replied that he hopes that “people won’t think it as too big a spiritual thing but rather enjoy an emotional attachment to the box itself, especially whenever they open the door.” Enter the “BUTSUDAN!” Surprisingly, Curiosity’s design was manufactured by a prominent Japanese musical instrument maker, applying their advanced woodworking techniques to making this stunning altar.


Modern look and fine-quality woodwork: the “BUTSUDAN.”

“BUTSUDAN” detail: elegant and subtle lines add to the modern design.

Open the “BUTSUDAN” and you find another wonderful latticed door…

… revealing a marvellous golden interior! Classy.

The “Dan,” Japanese for ‘altar,’ by WGD Kyoto combines traditional craftsmanship with modern designs. It’s a collaboration between multidisciplinary designer Naoto Fukasawa - whom you might remember from his recent chocolate exhibition - and Yutaro Shimode, traditional craftsman from Kyoto. Naoto Fukasawa offers his thoughts about this Buddhist altar on his website: “We are not trying to produce something completely new. I want to keep the originality of traditional ones by utilising the old craft skills. However, I changed the design and size to match our modern lifestyle, producing a ‘minimalist’ altar.”


Buddhist altar, “Dan,” by Naoto Fukasawa and Yutaro Shimode…

… with a simple and minimalist design!

All painted with black lacquer. This modernised altar is still keeping with traditional styles, as its deep shelf allows plenty of room to arrange offerings.

Buddhist altar decoration

A Buddhist altar is a place for paying respect to family members who have passed away. Some people might only want to talk with their late grandfather or grandmother about what happened to them that day, or about their worries. Also, objects are carefully placed in the altar as offerings to the departed: Only, what kind of ritual objects?


A detailed illustration of how to place flowers, incense and other offerings in a Buddhist altar. © Yagiken Co., Ltd.

Typically, five ritual objects are placed inside: a flower vase, an incense holder, a candlestick, a tea bowl, and a rice bowl for symbolically offering food and drink to the departed.

In the upper shelf, a Gohonzon is enshrined: This object of devotion in Japanese Buddhism is an image of the Buddha as either statue or scroll picture. In the middle shelf, you find a book with the names of the deceased inscribed. Moreover, a Ihai, a tablet left before a Buddhist altar to commemorate a deceased loved one, a tea bowl and rice bowl. In the bottom shelf, a flower vase, incense holder, and candle are carefully arranged.

The “OZUSHI” by Kobori Inc. is a Buddhist altar and quite an elegant interior decoration. It has sliding left and right boxes for placing personal mementoes of the deceased. Due to its limited dimensions, this compact altar is different from traditional ones and only the most important items can be placed inside.

What a piece of art! “OZUSHI” by Kobori Inc. with both boxes closed.

When you slide them away, find the personal mementoes inside. Also easy to care for and clean! Timeless art!

Yagiken Co., Ltd. offers all kinds of modern altars with unique shapes and innovative colours: The first of their products we introduce is a one called “Yamanami” showing a wonderful abstract landscape against a jet-black background. This modern one still uses the traditional Japanese lacquer finish, but its comparatively simple design will always match with rooms in either Japanese or Western style!


The innovative “Yamanami” design using colours of white, red and green.

Its Japanese style doors resemble Japanese playing cards’ design.

This is the “Idun” altar, featuring beautifully curved legs. Its gentle texture and warm handmade wooden touch is inspired by the typical Danish furniture craftsmanship. European influences for Japanese tradition…


Though totally different from usual Buddhist altars, it offers a truly warm texture!

Its informal design seamlessly blends in with Japanese modern lifestyle.

Our last product in a row of excellent modernised altars is the “Tamaki,” meaning ‘circle.’ This object impressed us with its beautiful jade-green facade. The altar has a high quality lacquer finish, its green colour as well as the ring on the door, made of mother-of-pearl inlay, symbolise “eternity.”


How modern! You didn’t recognise it as an altar, did you? “Tamaki” has a beautiful gradation of black and green.

Open the door and it shows a certain austerity inside that will certainly make you remember the deceased.

That was impressive, for sure! We’ll leave you with the soothing image of flower lanterns called hana kazari, meaning ‘flower decoration.’ As always, we’d like to thank all companies for their kind cooperation. Have a nice bon holiday!

A warm-glowing “hana kazari” is meant to be put on a tray. Photo courtesy of Yagiken.

42 Comments

  1. Humble, respectful, yet so so stylish, a great example of old meeting new!

    Posted by: Andrei Sarusi on August 9th, 2007 at 9:56 pm

  2. Namu Amida Butsu!

    Posted by: Gordon on August 9th, 2007 at 11:28 pm

  3. I imagine they mostly sell these in the larger cities (Tokyo, Osaka, etc) and in suburban areas most people are buying the traditional Butsudans.

    It’s smart, really. It gets people in the cities who would think of a traditional Butsudan as gawdy and clash with their modern homes to buy one as it blends in stylishly. Pretty tactful.

    Posted by: Hebi-kai on August 10th, 2007 at 1:23 am

  4. wow! I was very impressed with the detail and designs. I really thought they were actual furniture at first. And finding out how to place the items gives me details on the religion itself.

    Posted by: glyph on August 10th, 2007 at 3:11 am

  5. Lovely, but where do you put them… esp now in these modern tiny apartments??!

    Posted by: SHANTELL MARTIN on August 12th, 2007 at 12:05 pm

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