Finding the perfect wood, one that lasts as long as stone or iron seems to be a universal paradigm of building cultures world-wide. It is in fact not uncommon to find stories about mythical kinds of woods that are amazingly durable and resistant.

Framed thirteen hundred years ago, Japan's Horyuji pagoda is the oldest standing wooden structure today. This structure, and the wood it is made of, embodies one of those almost-mythical prodigies of durability.

Despite being the oldest one however, it might never last more than Naiku and Geku, two younger structures of the Jingu religious complex in Ise, also in Japan.

Each of these structures is actually two buildings that look identical, to such an extreme that they can be interpreted as being one and the same. During the twenty-year period in which one of the buildings stands, preparations to build the second one begin. Once this one is finished, the former one is disassembled and the process of rebuilding it begins anew.

Given that one of them will always be standing, these unique twin structures should have the capability to last forever. Additionally, they will always look new.

The structures of the Jingu sanctuary have been built in this curious fashion for over twelve hundred years. Whereas they are a little younger than the Horyuji pagoda, they are destined to last forever as long as the system of building and rebuilding them continues.

In this particular way, the dream of a wooden structure lasting forever has been achieved...