Ema are small wooden plaques on which Shinto worshippers write their prayers or wishes. The ema are then left hanging up at the shrine, where the kami (spirits or gods) receive them. They bear various pictures, often of animals or other Shinto imagery, and many have the word gan’i, meaning “wish”, written along the side. In ancient times people would donate horses to the shrines for good favour, over time this was transferred to a wooden plaque with a picture of a horse, and later still to the various wooden plaques sold today for the same purpose.

Ema are sold for various wishes. Common reasons for buying a plaque are for success in work or on exams, marital bliss, to have children, and health. Some shrines specialise in certain types of these plaques, and the larger shrines may offer more than one. Sales of ema help support the shrine financially.

At some shrines you can find ema in many languages, as tourists leave their own wishes and prayers.

More images: Kamakura Stock Images | Japan Stock Images | Travel Stock Photography

Shot this bronze statue of Jikokuten at Hase-dera Temple, Kamakura, Japan. Jikokuten literally means “Guardian of the Nation”. Jikokuten is the Keeper of the Kingdom, the Upholder of the Country, the Protector of the World. Jikokuten usually carries a sword in right hand, with closed left hand resting on hip; sometimes shown holding a stringed instrument or playing a lute (which harkens to the Middle Way – strings break if too tight, but if too slack, no sound is produced). Said to command an army of Kendatsuba (celestial musicians) and Bishasha (vampire demons). As the Buddhist protector of the eastern quarter, Jikokuten is similar to the dragon of Chinese mythology. The colors and symbols associated with Jikokuten vary according to country and sect.

See a little gallery of all the images shot here: Gallery of Hase-dera Temple at Kamakura Images – Japan Stock Photography.

Hase-dera (known more formally as Kaikozan Jishoin Hase-dera) is one of the great Buddhist temples in the city of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, famous for housing a massive wooden statue of Kannon. The temple is the fourth of the 33 stations of the Bando Sanjusankasho pilgrimage circuit dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten. The temple originally belonged to the Tendai sect of Buddhism, but eventually became an independent temple of the Jodo shu sect.

I shot this image on a very rainy day. The light was soft and everything was clean and shiny after a rain. All greenery had very intense color. Perfect day for shooting gardens.

There is something magic in all these stone basins, bamboo tubes and ladles hidden in small garden alleys. Especially on such calm and soft days.

PS. If you want to know what this purification fountain is for then read my post about using water purification fountains.

See a little gallery of all the images shot here: Gallery of Hase-dera Temple at Kamakura Images – Japan Stock Photography.

Daibutsu is a Japanese word meaning literally “Large Buddha” that refers to large statues of the Buddha or one of his various incarnations. The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a monumental outdoor bronze statue of Amida Buddha in the Kotoku-in Temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is believed that the statue was originally cast in 1252, following an idea by the priest Joko, who also collected donations to build it. The sculptors were One-Goroemon and Tanji-Hisatomo. The statue is approximately 13.35m tall and weighs approximately 93 tons. The statue is hollow, and visitors can view the interior for 20 Yen a person. The Great Buddha was originally housed in a temple, but this was washed away by a tsunami in 1498. Since then the statue has stood in the open air. Repairs were carried out in 1960-1961, when the neck was strengthened and measures were taken to protect it from earthquakes.

See a little gallery of all the images shot here: Gallery of The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) of Kamakura Images – Japan Stock Photography.