What is sankaku…
A project that celebrates people and craft, and weaves stories born from their intersection. Each issue thoroughly explores one theme, unearthing new perspectives and stories hidden in contexts where culture, design, and community intersect. Content is delivered by weaving together both domestic and international perspectives, with stories originating in Japan while expanding the scope to the world, delivering diverse stories. Since its inaugural issue (Volume 01: Tokyo), sankaku has been delivering content from perspectives both within and outside Japan. Its unique approach has attracted attention both domestically and internationally, and received high acclaim, including winning the Golden Pin Design Award at the end of 2024—an award operated by the Taiwan Design Research Institute that selects excellent designs from around the world—for the hardcover edition of “Vol.2 ‘Ramen’.”
In the new publication “Volume 03: Gods,” we explore Japan’s religious culture that has been nurtured since ancient times through diverse traditions and events. While examining these profound relationships from multiple angles, this book reconsiders them through the perspective of “people living in the present.” Through collaboration with academic researchers, writers, translators, and illustrators, we have woven sankaku’s unique perspective on how people from mythology and traditional rituals to the present day have faced religion and its traditions, and engaged with them through work and creation.
The stories are as diverse as the expansion of intellectual curiosity, offering an excellent opportunity to reexamine religion as culture, from the current state of religion in Japan, to decoding mythological images scattered throughout anime, deep dives into Iwami Kagura said to be the origin of kagura, and temples being reborn into new forms suited to contemporary society.
*Available only in English version.
Table of Contents
- Immerse yourself in a grand and fascinating dialogue exploring the past and present of Japanese religion
- Expert perspectives explaining mythological motifs hidden in popular anime
- Experience the culture of “kumade” lucky charms
- Visit the workshop of miyabori (shrine carving) craftsman Hiroki Koyama
- Stay at “Temple Airbnb” ZENSŌ and experience a new encounter with Buddhism
- How has shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) changed and what does it convey now
- The world of Iwami Kagura inherited in the land of Shimane where mythology lives
- Iwami Kagura dancers and community leaders active in the Yunotsu Onsen community
- Designer Shinya Kobayashi’s new design perspective coexisting with nature and its practice, after purchasing a mountain
CONTRIBUTORS
Claire Williamson, Hikari Hida, Hikaru Kusaka, Justine Wong, Kirsty Bouwers, Kumiko Noda, Mia Tillonen, Moé Suzuki, Noemi Minami, SHIO, Stevie Suan, Yeelian Tan
CORE TEAM
- Toshiyuki Sugai – Managing Director (available for interview)
- David Wang – Editor-in-Chief (available for interview)
- Florentyna Leow – Editorial Director (available for interview)
- Polly Auyeung – Design Director
- Stanley Sun – Editor-at-Large
- Eileen Kao – Project Manager
