ART Lecture 2026 | San Diego | Mingei International Museum | “Painted Prayers: Japanese Ema Votive” by guest curator Meher McArthur | Friday, October 23, 10:30-11:30AM
SAN DIEGO – Mingei International Museum presents “Painted Prayers: Japanese Ema Votive Plaques” lecture by guest curator Meher McArthur at La Atalaya Foundation Theater on Friday, October 23, 2026, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
This lecture is a part of the Art Break Series.
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Ema (literally, “picture horse”) are wooden votive plaques on which visitors to Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples have for centuries written their prayers and wishes for the _kami _or Buddhist deities to read. Though these plaques originally featured horses, they evolved to feature many different images associated with various wishes, from good fortune to health to love and relationships.
In conjunction with the exhibition Painted Prayers: The Japanese Folk Art Tradition of Ema, exhibition curator and Japanese art historian, Meher McArthur will explore the history of these votive plaques, the meanings behind some of the images, and their role in contemporary Japanese spiritual culture.
Contact Shannon Foley
Painted Prayers: The Japanese Folk Art Tradition of Ema
October 17, 2026 – April 4, 2027
Mingei International Museum, San Diego