The “Hyper Shrine” series, initiated in 2023, is a collection of NFT character works themed around Jingi belief and the island-nation’s nature reverence. Each character in this series represents a deified file extension, and NFT owners gain access to a 2D metaverse called “Hyper Shrine (Matsuri).” In “Hyper Shrine (Matsuri),” players interact by spreading kegare (uncleanness, defilement) to one another, with the goal of collecting this kegare within the metaverse.

“Hyper Shrine (Snake)” is a game work with different rules that unfolds in the same digital space as the 2D metaverse of “Hyper Shrine (Matsuri).” Players control a “snake” from the perspective of the kami (deities) worshipped in festivals and Jingi belief, weaving hiragana characters on the screen to create senryu (a form of Japanese poetry). The completed senryu are offered as a norito (Shinto ritual prayer), which can be read when visiting “Hyper Shrine (Matsuri).”

At SusHi Tech Square, the exhibition “Well-being for Human & Nature,” running until September 23, featured “Hyper Shrine (Oni),” which allowed players to navigate the same 2D metaverse from the perspective of an oni (ogre). Players could access the two venues as well as the third method of the Internet, allowing them to interact and mutually influence each of the respective virtual worlds.

Direction / Artwork: Takakurakazuki
Technical cooperation: TRANSFORM ART by YUMEMI Inc.
Art technologist: SAKAMOTO Tadaaki
Planner: YOSHIDA Rio
Producer: GOTO Shigeo

Cooperation in printing: SunM Color
Decorative processing on the display: GAMItec