DepartmentAsia

Ema depicting yokai characters from the manga series, "GeGeGe no Kitaro"

NameVotive Plaque

CultureJapanese

Date2018

Place madeSakaiminato, Totori Prefecture, Japan, East Asia, Asia

MediumWood, ink, cord

Dimensions4 1/2 × 6 7/8 × 3/8 in. (11.5 × 17.5 × 1 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, IFAF Collection, FA.2018.74.1

Terms

value (economic concept)

Object numberFA.2018.74.1

ProvenancePurchased by curator Felicia Katz-Harris at the Yokai Jinja (Shrine) on MIZUKI Shigeru Road. Hand-carried to the US by the curator.

DescriptionThis shrine plaque (Ema) is comprised of a light colored wood, red cord, and ink. On the proper right side there are black Japanese characters. In the center of the piece there are four yokai characters, starting from the proper right, there is a cream colored figured with a purple staff, and black and red cape. The next figure has peach colored skin, purple hair, a blue shirt, and yellow and black scarf. The proper middle left figure has white skin, red eyes, yellow hair, and white kimono. The proper left figure has one eye, one foot, a brown woven looking object on its head, with a blue and black kimono. There are red Japanese characters on the proper left side of the piece.