Shrine of Triskele

This is a land art project in Toga, Japan. The site was a place surrounded by trees with a void in the middle. The plants grow lushly, all pointing up towards the sky. Here, you can feel the strength of the earth and the preciousness of soil. The idea was to create a space that stands strong and connects to the earth, and a small space in the center that cuts out the sky.

Hajime Yoshida created a three-dimensional geometric shape of a “triskele” that symbolizes a powerful figure rising from the earth toward the center while three elements support each other. Based on the motif of pit dwellings from Jōmon period, the design features excavated earth, which then continues from the ground to the outer “skin”, with earthen walls rising.

Over time, the green will continue to extend to the outer skin of the building, integrating the architecture and landscape. The red inner “skin” will continue to create a peculiar space while remaining distinct from its surroundings.

The artist created this space with respect for Japanese animism. This is a place with nothing but abundant nature. It is a space where one can listen to the sounds of nature, gaze at the sky, and pray in silence: a sanctuary for visitors, standing in silence in the earth.