Ema - Votive Tablets
Wooden tablets on which worshippers write prayers and wishes to the kami.
Ema are wooden plaques on which worshippers write their prayers, wishes, and gratitude to the kami. Originally, horses were offered to shrines; wooden horse pictures replaced actual horses, eventually evolving into the various designs seen today. Ema are hung at shrines for the kami to read.
On the ema, we write our hearts' deepest wishes for the kami to receive.
Ema provide a tangible way for worshippers to communicate with the kami.
Folk traditions