Allow me to introduce you to my diorama rendition of a small Japanese Shinto shrine located near a smaller town. I was always fascinated with Japanese culture and after a long time of not knowing what to do or create I started building a small creation brick by brick which grew into an image of a small shrine.

Shinto shrines are dwellings of deities or spirits and people wish to visit them to pray, pay their respects and clean their minds. The objects tied to kami or pieces of worship are often hidden from the eyes of visitors (as seen in the model where a golden cup is hidden inside of the sacred box) and the shrines cannot be entered.

Shrine visit experience

Walk into the area of the shrine through the sacred 'Tori' gate which separates the world of mortals and the world of deities. Be respectful though and walk on the left side of the walkway. Clean yourself at the cleansing well 'Temizuya' and pray at the shrine. If you wish to leave a wish, you can hang your 'Ema' wish on the prayer wall/board at the right side of the area. You can also walk by the shrine to visit a mini shrine dedicated to the frog spirit near bamboo thicket.

Of course, there are also botanical wonders which are well kept by the town gardener who takes care of the premises and the small garden located near the cleansing well.

Design choices and details

I have decided to make this set a diorama piece which also creates a certain area in which the deity resides. The border of the diorama base resembles a black and red fence or temple wall thus making the diorama also an enclosed shrine. Since it is designed as a display piece of an enclosed shrine and surrounding area the set sadly offers little play features.

Dimensions of the set: 27.2 × 15.4 × 30.2 cm

The set offers both symmetrical and asymetriccal design choices which show the balance of Japanese inspired design.The symmetries of the gate, walkway and the shrine itself is completed with asymmetry of garden, trees and stones placed around the area.

Some features

The roof of the shrine is easily removable so one can see the simple insides of the shrine.

The Ema board is made with bars and the Ema plaques are represented by plates with horizontal o clip so the wishes can be easily snapped on the board.

The cleaning well offers ladles so minifigures can wash their hands and mouth as is the tradition of visiting a Shinto shrine.