Ema Votive Tablets: Conveying Wishes to the Gods
If you have ever wandered through the serene grounds of a Japanese Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple, you have likely encountered a designated area adorned with hundreds of small, five-sided wooden boards clattering gently in the wind. These are Ema (絵馬), or votive tablets, one of the most tangible and charming ways visitors can interact with Japanese spiritual culture. Whether asking for success in exams, finding true love, or simply wishing for good health, Ema serve as a direct line of communication between the human realm and the divine.
The Origins: Why “Picture Horse”?
To the uninitiated, the word Ema might seem puzzling. It is composed of two Japanese characters: Picture (絵) and Horse (馬). But why horses? Looking at modern Ema, which feature designs ranging from zodiac animals to anime characters, the equine connection isn’t always obvious.
The history dates back to the Nara period (710–794 AD). In ancient Shinto belief, horses were viewed as the preferred vehicles of the Kami (gods). It was believed that the gods descended to earth riding these majestic creatures. Consequently, when people wanted to solicit a great favor from the deities—such as ending a drought or stopping a pestilence—they would donate a live horse to the shrine. These horses, known as Shinme (sacred horses), were highly revered but were also incredibly expensive to purchase and maintain.
Legend and Evolution
As time passed, the practicality of donating live animals became a hurdle for the common folk. While the Imperial Court and wealthy aristocrats could afford to gift a white stallion, the average villager could not.
According to historical evolution, this led to the substitution of live animals with statues made of clay or wood. Eventually, this was simplified further into a flat wooden board bearing the image of a horse. This allowed people of all social standings to petition the gods without the financial burden of livestock.
While the Ise Grand Shrine and other major sites still maintain live horses for specific rituals, the wooden Ema became the standard medium for prayer by the Muromachi period. Over centuries, the imagery on the boards evolved beyond just horses to include the shrine’s specific deity, zodiac signs, or symbols relevant to specific wishes.
Modern Culture: From Spirits to Pop Culture
Today, the culture of Ema is vibrant and surprisingly adaptive. While traditional designs remain popular, the practice has modernized in fascinating ways.
The Season of Exams
Visit a shrine dedicated to Tenjin (the deity of scholarship) in January or February, and you will see mountains of Ema written by anxious students praying for success in high school or university entrance exams. These tablets often feature images of plum blossoms or oxen, symbols associated with Tenjin.
Love and Relationships
At shrines famous for En-musubi (marriage tying), such as Kyoto’s Jishu Shrine, Ema are often heart-shaped or feature couples, written by singles looking for partners or couples hoping for longevity.
Ita-Ema and Anime Pilgrimages
A recent phenomenon is the rise of “Ita-Ema” (painful Ema), a term derived from Itasha (cars decorated with anime decals). At shrines located near settings of popular anime series—such as Kanda Myoujin in Tokyo or Washinomiya Shrine in Saitama—fans leave Ema featuring incredibly detailed, hand-drawn illustrations of their favorite characters. This blends pop culture pilgrimage (Seichijunrei) with ancient tradition.
Traveler’s Tips: How to Offer an Ema
Participating in this tradition is a highlight for many travelers. Here is how to do it respectfully:
- Purchase the Tablet: Go to the shrine or temple’s administrative office (usually where amulets are sold). Ema typically cost between 500 and 1,000 yen.
- Write Your Wish: On the blank side of the wood, write your wish. You can write in any language; the Kami are believed to understand the heart, not just the text. It is also customary to write your name and the date, though you can use initials for privacy.
- Hang It Up: Take the Ema to the designated hanging rack (Emakake). Tie it securely alongside the others. Do not take the Ema home as a souvenir; it must remain at the shrine to be effective.
- The Ritual Burning: You might wonder what happens when the racks get full. Periodically, Shinto priests perform a ritual burning of the Ema (Otakiage) to release the wishes to the heavens in the form of smoke.
Respecting Privacy
While it is tempting to read the wishes of others, try to be respectful. You will see prayers for health, heart-wrenching confessions, and ambitious dreams. It is a poignant reminder of our shared human hopes.
Sources & Further Reading
For those interested in the deep historical context of horses in Shinto rituals, the following texts provide foundational knowledge:
- Shoku Nihongi: An imperial history text that records early instances of offering horses to shrines for rain-making rituals.
- Engishiki: A 10th-century book of laws and regulations that details the protocols for offerings at shrines.
- Konjaku Monogatari: A collection of tales from the late Heian period that illustrates the shift from live sacrifices to symbolic representations.