Japanese
"Ema" Gourds (Filled with Prayers and Wishes) at Yagami-jinja（Yagami-jinja--no Hyotan Ema）
八上神社のひょうたん絵馬
Gourds in which you place your prayers and wishes
In the precinct of Yagami-jinja Shrine, remains of Yagami-oji can be found. The name of Yagami-oji can be seen in Kumano Gokoki (the subsidiary shrine of the Kumano Grand Shrines) written in 1201 (Year Kennin 1); it seems that this oji (“child prince” or “satellite”) shrine has been highly revered in Japan since ancient times. For generations, it has been said that gourds, which have been the specialty products of Kamitonda Town, have the power to drive away evil influence or ill luck. Taking advantage of the apotropaic power of gourds, “Ema” gourds, which originate from “Ema” plates (traditional plaques in Japan on which prayers and wishes are written), are being dedicated to this shrine.
Information
Access
40 minutes’ walk from “Inabane-oji”[稲葉根王子] bus stop at Kamitonda Town or from “Shimomisu” [下三栖]bus stop in Tanabe City
