Ema (wooden plaque) (excavated from the Juricho Ruins)

This ema was excavated from the remains of pits at the Juricho Ruins (in Juricho, Nagahama City). Made of Japanese cypress wood, it features a depiction of a horse drawn in black ink which includes a saddle and stirrups. Based on the Sue ware which was excavated at the same time it was found, it is believed to be from around the eighth century. People believed that they could please the gods by offering horses, a form of transportation for nobles and deities. Seeking the granting of a wish, people would hang ema tablets like this at shrines and on trees to offer them to the gods. This particular ema is precious because it is the only ancient ema which has been found in Shiga Prefecture.