15.00 USD

This is an "Ema". "Ema" are small wooden plaques on which Shinto worshippers write their prayers or wishes. The ema are then left hanging up at the Shrine, where the kami (spirits or gods) receive them. They bear various pictures, often of animals or other Shinto imagery, and many have the word gan'i (願意), meaning "wish", written along the side. In ancient times people would donate horses to the shrines for good favor, over time this was transferred to a wooden Plaque with a picture of a horse, and later still to the various wooden plaques sold today for the same purpose.

Ema are sold for various wishes. Common reasons for buying a plaque are for success in work or on exams, marital bliss, to have children, and health. Some shrines specialize in certain types of these plaques, and the larger shrines may offer more than one. Sales of ema help support the shrine financially.


********This Ema is from The Ise-Shima (伊勢志摩) region, also called the Shima Peninsula (志摩半島 Shima-hantō?), refers to the areas of eastern Mie Prefecture in or around Ise-Shima National Park, which include the cities Ise, Toba, Shima, and parts of the town of Minami-Ise. The area thrives on tourism, with many resort hotels and beaches in the area. Ise-Shima is also famed for fresh seafood, particular oysters.

The peninsula extends out into the Pacific Ocean, and unlike the factory-dotted coast of Ise Bay, the main industry is seafood and marine products, particularly pearl cultivation.

There are "Ama" woman diver for abalones and crinum on this wood plaque.

真珠のふるさと shinjyu no furusato = hometown of pearl

伊勢路 Ise-ji Route (Kumanokodo Road) (from Ise Jingu Shrine to Kumano Sanzan, approximately 160 kilometers)

家内安全 = home safe

交通安全 = drive safe

年 nen = year

月 tsuki = month

日 hi = day

It measures about 5 cm x 4.5 cm x 1 cm.