Bird's eye view of Prabha on the grounds of Myorenji Temple. All photos by Tetsuya Ito < > < > < >

Prabha in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Hindu philosophy and classical Indian scriptures, means light or brilliance. It is interesting that this quaint ossuary hall, located on the grounds of Myorenji Temple in the city of Oita, Japan, is named using the oldest language in the world. Perhaps it is because the ‘purest’ meaning of the word comes through most clearly in this most ancient language.

What is clear is the ‘lightness’ of the project’s overall presence amidst the ‘gravitas’ of the 400-year-old traditional building on the temple grounds—its design a modern interpretation that complements the historical architecture. ...

Read Full Excerpt