Holy horses in Shinto shrine / Shinme / Ema culture
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
At Geku in ISE grand shrine Photo by wikipedia
There are holy horses in some Japanese shrines.
They are called SHINME.(other photos)
Shinme means "God's horse".
But most shrines are not able to keep horses in shrine.
Because it costs too much or time-cunsuming work.
In ancient time,some shrines had wooden board /plate that was painted horses
instead of real horses.
The wooden boards were called EMA.
EMA meant a painting of horse.
instead of real horses.
The wooden boards were called EMA.
EMA meant a painting of horse.
There are many other pattern of painting on current Ema plates.
Usually,twelve zodiac signs are drawn in Ema.
This year's sign is cock.
Many Japanese people buy Ema and write their wishes on it.
In fact,it is not a good manner in true Shinto religion
because we should dedicate thankful heart and gratitude to nature gods at Shinto shrines.
Private wishes in Shrines are not appropriate at all.
Why nature gods help individual's wish? It doesn't make sense.
Why nature gods help individual's wish? It doesn't make sense.
But Ema is known as Japanese Shinto's feature.
We have to recover true Shinto manner again.
Just dedicating thankful heart to nature is true Shinto.
Don't use sacred gods as your servant.
Our private wishes in life are achieved by only own effort and ancestor's help.
Wishing private things at shrine is very rude attitude.
Don't be a beggar in front of Gods.
Our private wishes in life are achieved by only own effort and ancestor's help.
Wishing private things at shrine is very rude attitude.
Don't be a beggar in front of Gods.
Shinme horse also respects Gods.
There are two main shrines in ISE grand shrine.(Geku and Naiku)
Holy horses visit each shrines with priests three times a month.
The ceremony is called SHINME-KENZAN.
(Around 8am in the morning /Every 1st,11th and 21st of every month)