Key Points

- Wooden plaques used in Japanes Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples to write prayers and wishes

Brief Bio 

Ema (絵馬) are wooden plaques used in Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan to write prayers and wishes. These plaques are offerings to the deities, representing a tangible way for people to communicate their hopes and desires. 

Originally, people would donate horses to shrines, particularly during times of drought or flooding, as a way to appease the gods. As horses were expensive, smaller, wooden, clay, or paper representations of horses were used instead. Eventually, these evolved into wooden plaques with painted images of horses, and later, a wider variety of images and shapes related to the wishes. Ema typically have a 5-sided shape, often resembling a rectangle with a roof, but can also be circular, heart-shaped, or other custom shapes. 

Ema serve as a way for people to connect with the divine and express their hopes, wishes, and gratitude. Visitors purchase an ema, write their wishes on the back, and then hang it at the shrine or temple. Ema are commonly found at shrines and temples throughout Japan, often displayed near the main hall or in designated areas. 

Visitors purchase an ema, write their wish on the back (and sometimes their name and date), and then hang it on the designated rack or area at the shrine or temple. 

Ema are not just religious objects; they embody personal stories, collective hopes, and the connection between the human and the divine. They represent a unique aspect of Japanese culture and a tangible way for people to participate in religious practices