Ema Installation:

Ema are votive tablets commonly found at Japanese shrines. Cut from thin pieces of wood, Ema are often decorated with a painting on the front relating to the motif of the shrine. Visitors often buy Ema as good luck objects to write a prayer or wish on. Then the Ema are left hanging on special structures at the shrine. These good luck objects are used for communication to the gods.

While the shapes and sizes of Ema vary somewhat, they typically are rectangular with a pointed top. During one of my trips to Japan, I found a shrine for Maiko (Geisha in training) where there were a number of old Ema on display with drawings of wigs in traditional hair styles. Were they prayers to the hairstyle god?

 

 

Dimensions of the installation:
Height: 65 inches
Width: 48 inches
Depth: 6 inches

Ema installation photo
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