Assassin's Creed Shadows - Kumano Nachi Taisha
In the mountains of Wakayama Prefecture's Kiii mountain range , there is a trio of revered Shinto shrines - they call it Kumano Sanzan. From centuries they have been the home of Shugen-dō - unique spiritual blend of nature worship, combining Shintoism and Buddhism as well.
Kumano Nachi Taisha is the shrine complex that is, out of the 3 shrines, the most preserved in it's original look to this day . I was tasked with recreating the shrine complex , as well as the nature area around it - the forest trails leading up to Hiro Shrine, located at the base of the 133 meter-high Nachi no Taki waterfall, rumoured to be a divine spirit in itself. My work included creating the layout, level art propping and shaping the terrain .
One of the most unique characteristics of this Grand Shrine is that is a rare example of syncretism - blend of Shinto and Buddhist arhitecture - for example, the Seiganto-Ji pagoda is an example of Buddhist architecture, while most of the buildings at the main complex are Shinto.
Some research was needed to get an idea which buildings were part of the complex back in 16 century, and which are a more modern additions. Of course, the whole location needed to be rescaled and modified a bit in order to fit the smaller game world ( compared to the actual distances between the separate locations) , while preserving some very unique for the place vistas .
Art & Level design collaborators:
Art Lead - Iana Pencheva https://pencheva.artstation.com/
Art Director - Nikola Stoyanov https://niko_stoyanov.artstation.com/
Level Designers - Stoyan Styanov
Historical accuracy advice - Emi Takeshita https://emmyemmy.artstation.com/
Nachi Waterfall unique rockface assets - made by Maxime Vincent https://maximevincent.artstation.com/
Buddhist -themed architectural assets - made by Quentin Le Goff https://www.artstation.com/quentinlegoff and Félix Robitaille https://felixrobitaille.artstation.com/
Shinto-themed architectural assets - made by Kevin Kok https://oranji.artstation.com/
Seiganto-ji’s 3-story pagoda
The hall of worship Haiden, sheltering worshipers’ prayers and the rituals performed by Kumano Nachi Taisha’s miko priestesses
Hiro Shrine - auxiliary shrine of Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine
The main pavilion Hondo, which is in fact a group of 5 Shinto halls
the Sacred Camphor Tree, wrapped around with shimenawa is nowadays 850 years old, and it's trunk is hollow, allowing people to climb down stairs to the base of the tree and make a small offering at an altar. The tree looks smaller and younger here
Hiro Shrine during winter.
the Torii gate marking the forest path leading to Hiro Shrine and the waterfall.
The top of Nachi no Taki, and the sacred shimenawa rope, marking a sacred object.
The leap of faith from the top of the waterfall is incredible and goes a long, long way down
