The ema hall of Yasaka Shrine serves as a place for people to pray, as ema (votive tablet) are dedicated to various wishes. Yasaka Shrine has a long history dating back to the Heian period and the culture of ema has a long history as well. Originally, warriors and aristocrats dedicated horses to the gods to pray for victory in battle or for the healing of illness, but as time went on, the custom of drawing pictures of horses on wooden boards and dedicating them spread. This custom has been handed down to the present day as “ema”. In the ema hall of Yasaka Shrine, many historical ema remain, which provide visitors with an insight into the wishes and beliefs of the people of each period. One of the highlights is a large ema painted in the Edo period, whose beautiful brushwork and colors show the high skill of the painters of that time. Even today, many people dedicate ema to pray for family safety, prosperous business, and good fortune. The ema hall of Yasaka Shrine is a precious place that carries on this tradition of prayer.