Anime Ema – Handmade Votive Plates

It is the year of the horse and horse symbols are everywhere around Japan especially at shrines. Most people visit a shrine during the first few days of the new years, to say their prayers and ask for good luck during the coming year. One way to help the Gods look favorably upon you is to offer an Ema, a votive plate, where you write your wish and hang it at the shrine where you prayed. I saw these Ema at the Kanda Myojin, one of Tokyo’s main shrines, just a couple of blocks from the famous Akihabara district. Akihabara is famous as the centre for anime and manga fans, and so many aspiring manga artists and fans come to Kanda Myojin to say their prayers. Of course, with their own custom made Ema! Here are a few of the most eye catching Ema I saw when I visited yesterday. I especially like the 3D printed Ema, the first 3D printed objects I have seen in the wild here in Japan. The fans behind these must have spent a lot of time on these!