Ita-ema plaques: When otaku pray to the gods

What happens when otaku ask the gods for good fortune for the year ahead?

Ita-ema, that’s what.

These are the ema plaques, usually hung on boards at Shinto shrines in Japan to ask for fortune in work, love or study, but here with a very moe twist. It is common to decorate a plaque with a handwritten message and perhaps a little illustration, but we think these worshippers are revealing their true religious idols.

These “Ita-ema” have been appearing at Kanda Myojin Shrine in east Tokyo (and elsewhere) since a few years ago, getting more numerous and inventive with each New Year. Sometimes they are drawn by professional mangaka and illustrators.

However, before anyone starts making cries of “blasphemy”, any sexiness is perfectly legit. Shinto is not a prudish faith — quite the opposite. Its gods and myths are full of sex and dirty shenanigans.

Some of the plagues were even 3D!

Naturally our selection of plaques only takes some of the kinkiest examples. There were plenty more.

Happy Year of the Sheep, folks!