If you have a special request, prayer, or message of gratitude, you may write your message for the Kami on an Ema and put it here, or you may take it home to your sacred space.
Ema are ritually disposed of at the end of the year, clearing the way for new prayers and wishes.
The term “ema” translates to “picture horse” in English, originating from a historical practice where people would donate horses, considered sacred messengers to the gods, to shrines. Over time, this practice evolved into offering wooden plaques with images relating to the shrine.