If wishes were horses...

Traditionally, in order to have a wish granted, wealthy Japanese would donate a horse to their local shrine - this custom then evolved into the donation of ema - a small wooden tablet with a picture of a horse on it. You write your wish or prayer on the back of the ema and hang it at the shrine - if your wish comes true, it's good form to buy another ema as thanks. Nowadays, ema may be illustrated with chinese zodiac symbols or a person or object associated with that particular shrine.



Tsuru or cranes have long been auspicious in Japan. If you fold senbazuru - 1000 origami cranes - your wish will also come true. The most famous example of this is Sadako who was 2 years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Many people believe that Sadako was only able to fold 644 cranes before she died from radiation poisoning, and her classmates folded the rest after her death, however, others say that she folded well over 1000 during her short life. Regardless, she is now a striking symbol for peace as she wished not only for her own health, but to bring peace and healing to all people.



I took these photos at Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine in Kawasaki in April, 2005.