Vintage Japanese Wooden Shrine Plaque, Ema

This vintage Japanese ema plaque represents a man, likely Saigo Takamori, standing in Western-style clothing and holding a sword and a mountain or volcano in the background. The ema board has some inscriptions with the name of the shrine and an attached white braided cord.

Ema is a small wooden plaque used at Shinto shrines, and sometimes Buddhist temples, that worshipers can write their wishes, hopes, and dreams on. Once written, it is hung on a special wooden stand or tree where the kami (spirits or gods) are thought to receive them.

• Black, red, white
• Wood
• C1980
• Some characters: 南洲神社 Nanshu shrine
• Item weight: 26 grams
• Packed weight: 200 grams
• Approx. 12.6 cm wide x 8.5 cm tall x 0.5 cm thick
• Good condition considering its age. Rough edges. Mark on the back. Cord is cut. Wear and tear due to age. Please see the photos.
• We acquired this item from an old family estate sale in Nagoya, Japan

Shipping: We ship worldwide by Japan Post. Adding this item to your cart shows you the shipping prices and options. We do combine shipping and if the cart does not give you a discount, we will refund any extra shipping paid in the case of overpayment.

About Us: We are Dan and Maiko. Since moving to Japan in 2001, we have gained a vast knowledge of Japanese antiques and vintage items. We are excited to offer you a delightful glimpse of the beauty that Japan has to offer. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.