Vintage Japanese Ema Prayer Plaque Monkey Wearing Vest

Ema are charming wooden plaques found at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan, where visitors write their hopes, dreams, and prayers. These plaques, often adorned with beautiful imagery of animals or spiritual symbols, are then hung up at the shrine for the gods to receive. Whether asking for success, love, health, or protection for loved ones, ema serve as a deeply personal and symbolic way for people to connect with the divine, leaving their heartfelt wishes in a sacred space.