All TopicsNewsTravelAnimeKawaii CharactersKawaii FashionJapanese StationeryMember Spotlight
YumeTwins Kawaii Culture BlogMake A Wish! Unique & Kawaii Ema Designs

Make A Wish! Unique & Kawaii Ema Designs

By James
December 24, 2021

The History

In the 8th century, offering a horse to the gods was believed to make a wish come true, as horses were prized as sacred. Nobles used real horses at first but it was a burden to the shrines. Eventually they sculpted true-to-size figures from wood. 

Over time, this ritual was simplified and the sculptures became illustrations of horses on large wooden plates, and finally the reasonably sized ema that we know today came to light. 

If your wish comes true, it’s common practice to revisit the same shrine that you placed the ema at, and either write a new wish on a new plaque or simply say a prayer of gratitude. People often wish for good luck on exams, health, happiness, fortune, or any sort of wish to help make their dreams come to fruition.

Modern Day Updates

Recently shrines produce unique illustrations with zodiac animals or famous local sights. There are even blank ema so that visitors may create their own. The traditional ema design that includes a horse will never go out of style and you won’t find a shrine without one. However, it’s quite fun to see each year what new kinds of takes on this beloved tradition have been brought about.

There’s no need to go far for the best kawaii Japanese goods! YumeTwins sends them straight from Japan to your door each month!

Itaema

Source

This word literally means ‘painful ema’, as it describes the understandably sacrilegious feeling that these bring about. Instead of writing a wish, one decorates and illustrates the ema to their liking. This can lead to all sorts of unique and interesting designs, such as anime characters, caricatures, kawaii animals, or a picture related to their wish.

Kawaii Ema

Source

These ema gain more and more popularity each year, as they’re colorful, bright, and help participants express their personalities through their favorite characters. 

Zodiac Animal Ema

Source

Designed differently each year depending on which year of the Zodiac the upcoming year is, these are a perennial favorite. Designs can be whimsical or very lifelike, but are a good combination of tradition and modernity as the designs are generally not repeated from previous years.

Our Own Original Ema

Meet our in-house design, featured in January 2022’s YumeTwins box! Ideal for those who can’t make it to Japan at the moment, the YumeTwins Original Ema Decoration has a sweet little unicorn for a magical YumeTwins twist. Using pastel pinks and purples with hints of yellow and blue, we hope you’ll be able to use it to remember your goals each day of the year! 

We recommend trying to visit during the New Year’s season for the first shrine or temple visit of the year, called hatsumode. This is when there are the most unique ema designs and you’ll have plenty of variety to help find the perfect one that’s most suitable for you!

Let us know your favorite types of ema designs in the comments below! 

Enjoy Popular Japanese Kawaii Merchandise Every Month!

Enjoy Popular Japanese Kawaii Merchandise Every Month!

Starting from $32.50 USD

Get YumeTwins

Author avatar
James

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles

A woman with colorful hair, a bear ear beanie and holding a pink ball in front of her face. She is a perfect example of what does kawaii mean?

What Does Kawaii Mean? The History of Cuteness in Japan!

What does kawaii mean? Simply put, kawaii translates to “cute,” but it’s a way of life in Japan! This uniquely Japanese aesthetic is all about embracing charm, innocence, and playfulness, bringing a sprinkle of joy to the everyday. So, where did this love of all things cute come from? And why is it such a...

December 20, 2024
Takara Tomy Pokemon Plushies on a shelf.

Takara Tomy and Pokémon: The Story of Pokepeace

Takara Tomy is a Japanese toy company famous for creating innovative, engaging products loved by kids and collectors worldwide!

December 19, 2024
A idol from Japan against a pink background.

Japan Idol: Most Unique Groups in 2025!

Idol culture in Japan is a fascinating and vibrant part of Japanese music and entertainment. Their catchy songs, energetic dances, and cheerful performances bring joy to fans of all ages.

December 12, 2024
A man and a woman in a booth recording J-pop music.

J-Pop Artists to Listen to in 2025!

J-Pop has captivated fans with its beats, lyrics, and creativity! The genre continues to grow, with a lineup of artists redefining what Japanese pop can be.

December 12, 2024
Tokyo Character Street in Tokyo Station. This trore features Pokemon plushies.

Find Cute Merch at Tokyo Station Character Street!

Tokyo Character Street should be on all pop culture lovers’ bucket lists. Located in one of Tokyo’s busiest transportation hubs, it has everything for Pokémon, Chiikawa, Mofusand, Tomica fans, and more.

November 29, 2024
A cute kawaii New Year's white porcelain snake.

Cute Kawaii Year: 2025 Edition!

The new year is approaching, so you must buy lucky charms and cute things for a cute kawaii New Year! Japan has different good luck charms and various activities to start the year with a bang. Many inspiring anime characters were also born in January. So, let’s check out everything you need to know about...

November 29, 2024
YumeTwins logo

Be a YumeTwins Insider!

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive kawaii news!


Facebook
Instagram

Accepted Payments
Visa payment availableMastercard payment availableAmerican Express payment availableDiscover payment availablePayPal payment available

YumeTwins Logo

Be a YumeTwins Insider!

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive kawaii news!

Facebook
Instagram
Ichigo Logo
Copyright © 2024 YumeTwins™. All Rights Reserved.
Accepted Payments
Visa payment availableMastercard payment availableAmerican Express payment availableDiscover payment availablePayPal payment available