Translating Japan to the World

Translating the meaning Japan holds, in today's language. Our first work begins from the World Heritage land of Kumano.

Mission

A millennium of spirituality — shinbutsu shūgō, the yaoyorozu no kami, the thought of yomigaeri. The foundational richness of Japan.

And yet it has not been adequately conveyed to the world.Even within Japan, it grows ever harder to pass on.

OR translates this in the language of today.

From Kumano. Japan, to the World.

Why Japan?

The world's oldest monarchy, the only polytheistic country among advanced nations, a reservoir of spiritual culture. Follow the millennium-long story of a land where volcanoes gave birth to the kami and earthquakes spread the Buddhas.

Follow the story →

シンボル「Light」

Translating the Sacred Fire to the World

The symbol — the akari — takes its form from the goshinka kindled at Kumano Hongū Taisha. The light within the flame embodies the translator's role, illuminating what has been hidden. The small spark above evokes the path forward.

Three meanings within the name OR.
iru — to be present with the land.
oru — to weave meaning into being.
In Hebrew, אור — light.
The most ancient, the most universal of prayers.

私たちのアプローチ

Starting from Kumano.

Kumano is where Japan's spiritual culture remains most densely preserved.Shinbutsu shūgō, the myriad deities, a walking culture, the thought of yomigaeri — all of these have been rooted in this land over more than a thousand years.

OR begins its work from Kumano. By carefully translating what Kumano speaks, we open the figure of Japan beyond it to the world.

The first undertaking is to revive, through the latest XR technology, the original halls of Kumano Hongū Taisha — swept away from Ōyunohara in the Totsukawa Great Flood of 1889 (Meiji 22).

Projects

Four Lights

With KUMANO XR at the core, extending into the Jabara Shrine, Gastronomy, and the Retreat. The four lights are bound by one brand sensibility — "Translating Japan to the world."

A participant wearing an HMD at Ōyunohara — KUMANO XR Project.

First Light

KUMANO XR Project
Translating the lost landscape.

Digitally reviving, through the latest XR technology, the twelve shrine halls lost to the 1889 flood.

Opening April 2027

Jabara — a rare citrus native to Kitayama Village.

Second Light

Jabara Shrine Project
Translating evil into resurrection.

A café adjacent to the XR reception. A cup, made for pilgrims, from jabara — the rare citrus of Kitayama Village.

Opening April 2027

Image of the Kumano Gastronomy Project — a tray of Japanese shōjin and kaiseki cuisine.

Third Light

Kumano Gastronomy Project
Translating the spirituality of the land onto the plate.

A globally recognised chef will be appointed. Reconstructing local ingredients and Japan's shōjin tradition as world-class gastronomy.

In development

Moss-covered cedars of Kumano — the spirituality of the Kumano Retreat Project.

Fourth Light

Kumano Retreat Project
Translating the walking culture into a stay.

Not richness of price, but richness of experience. A quiet, dignified stay, attuned to the walking culture and the time of prayer.

In concept

Discover the Four Projects →