Ema at Wakayama Shrine

Ema at Wakayama Shrine

I’m going to talk about the ema at Wakayama Shrine.

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An ema is a small wooden votive (prayer) plaque found in Shinto shrines; it means picture horse.

The ema at Wakayama Shrine have a long history. During olden wars, the small ema were burned and lost. Today, only five large ema from the Edo period remain.

  1. Hikiumazu Ema (Picture of Leading a Horse)
    This is the largest ema that still exists. It shows a strong scene of people leading a horse. We can feel the strong wishes and deep faith of the people. The traditional style makes it immensely powerful.
  2. Hikiumazu Ema (Picture of Leading a Horse)
    This ema shows a groom calmly controlling a horse. The horse and the people look relaxed and peaceful. The painting has a soft and gentle style. Family crests are painted, showing a connection to the shrine.
  3. Enkō Jōba Ema (Monkey Riding a Horse)
    A monkey dressed like a priest is riding a horse. This is an incredibly unique and interesting idea. The details are carefully painted. We can feel humor and creativity from the Edo period.
  4. Taketora Ema (Bamboo and Tiger)
    This ema is drawn in a round shape, which is different from the others. It shows a tiger in a bamboo forest. Bamboo and tiger are lucky symbols. This picture may also mean protection from evil.
  5. Todai-ji Village Okage Odori Ema
    Todai-ji Village was located around today’s Shimamoto Town. This ema shows people dancing to the sound of drums and flutes. The villagers wear distinct kinds of clothes. They look happy and full of energy. The dancers are moving in a lengthy line, like a parade. From this picture, we can feel how lively the village was in those days.

This concludes my explanation of the large ema.

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Note: this is part of the Shimamoto-cho Guide Text, created by the Yokoso Shimamoto (YS) English Guide Study Group; a text I helped revise.