What in the World is This? (3)

Every Shinto Shrine I have visited in Japan has a place for these. What in the World is This?

The answer:

These are called ema. Visitors to Japanese shrines purchase these small wooden tiles from official vendors in front of the shrine. The ema are often decorated on the front with an image related to the shrine or to the animal associated with the Chinese calendar.
People then write a wish or prayer (onegai koto) on the back of the ema and hang them on stands near the shrine (as pictured here).

Most ema are shaped like what you see in the pictures that follow, though there can be some variation. A "standard" size ema, perhaps six inches wide by three inches tall and half an inch thick, costs about ¥500; some larger ema might cost as much as ¥1000.

You might be interested in more information about Shinto.



Here are a some examples of designs on the front of an ema:





Below are some examples of people's "onegai koto":






And this is an example of how the ema are hung near the temple:

Japan: Signs: Watch for Suspicious Behavior

We found these signs in several Tokyo train and subway stations.

Note: During a November 2004 trip to Japan, Phyllis Larson, Ameeta and I took several pictures of Japanese signs and billboards to use as reading resource materials in St. Olaf's Japanese language classes. This posting is one in a series of these sign. For more information or for higher-resolution images, please contact me.

What in the World is This? (2)

Yes, we saw trees all over, in the cities and rural areas, with wrappings like what you see in the picture to the right? What in the World is This?

The answer:

Actually it is a "tree protector" of sorts. The ideas is that insects that start crawling up a tree trunk will get caught munching on the rice straw (not quite sure if that's what it's made of, but...) before bothering the tree itself. At some point, the people caring for the trees will remove and burn these mats, effectively preventing the tree from insect infestation. Pest control, of a natural, chemical-free variety. Cool, huh?

Japan: Beautiful Sites

During our November, 2004 stay in Japan, we were fortunate to have a clear view of My. Fuji (Fuji-san) in Hakone:




and of some beautiful scenery in Kyoto; sadly our pictures don't reflect the true beauty of the fall momiji (maple) leaves changing colors:

Japan: Tsukiji Train Station Billboards

The public transportation system in Tokyo is like nothing I've seen anywhere else. Many subway stations are built as part of underground malls, sometimes extending several blocks in many directions.

We found it interesting to observe the distinct character of various stations, often reflecting aspects of its neighborhood. Near the Edo-Tokyo Museum, also home to several sumo stables and arenas, you find billboards about sumo wrestling. You don't need to imagine the advertising you might see at the station near the Tsukiji Fish Market!






Note: During a November 2004 trip to Japan, Phyllis Larson, Ameeta and I took several pictures of Japanese signs and billboards to use as reading resource materials in St. Olaf's Japanese language classes. This posting is one in a series of these sign. For more information or for higher-resolution images, please contact me.