Minidoka Pilgrimage 2019 Memento

Ema (絵馬-picture horse) are wooden plaques used at Shinto and Buddhist sites where worshippers would write prayers and wishes on the back, and leave the Emas behind so the messages can travel to the Gods. Horses were believed to be messengers that could carry prayers of good fortune, weather, strong crops, and health. Generally the art featured on Ema plaques would include images of the temples or animals of the zodiac calendar.

The Minidoka National Historic Site serves as a sacred and spiritual place for the JA community. The guard tower serves as the Torii (鳥居-bird abode)- as visitors cross into the land of spirits. The honor roll serves as the Honden (本殿-main hall)、the sanctuary where the spirits are enshrined. The barracks, mess hall, fire station, and visitor center serve as the sacred grounds. This year, as the pilgrimage had the spirits of the Issei looking over the visitors, the ribbon-cutting and closing ceremonies had both Buddhist and Christian prayers and blessings. The presence and symbolism of writing on the Ema helped connect the spirits of pilgrims with the survivors and carried their wishes to the afterlife.

As the reception of having Ema serve as the 2019 memento for the closing ceremony were generally positive, the goal is to continue producing variations of plaques that feature different sites from the original Minidoka Concentration Camp.