workshop

Celebrate the New Year
Write Your Wish on an Ema!
Saturday, January 17, 2026
11:00am-12:30pm 
At the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles
(5700 Wilshire Blvd, Ste100, Los Angeles CA 90036)
Admission FREE, Registration Required (Click Here)

Join us for a New Year workshop that introduces Japanese temple traditions and the meaning of ema, wooden plaques used for wishes. 

Rev. Yuryu Mori of Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin in Little Tokyo will give a brief talk about New Year traditions such as hatsumode. He will explain the origins and purpose of ema, how wishes are written and dedicated, and the meaning of the zodiac—2026 being the Year of the Horse. He will also introduce other traditional good-luck items, including omikuji, omamori, and hamaya.

After the talk, participants will write their wishes on ema plaques featuring designs of the zodiac animals or the Seven Gods of Fortune. Plaques are available for $10 or $5 (*limited quantities; please bring cash or a check), and you may take your ema home. Before leaving, guests are invited to draw a New Year’s omikuji as a small gift from the temple—a fun way to welcome 2026!

ABOUT LECTURER: 
REV. YURYU MORI
Born in 2000 at Tamon-in, a sub-temple of Kumeda-dera in Kishiwada City, Osaka Prefecture, he was ordained in 2013. He completed his monastic training at Koyasan Senshu Gakuin in 2022 and received his official priest certification the same year. In 2024, he graduated from the College of Letters at Ritsumeikan University and was appointed to Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin (Koyasan Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles) shortly thereafter.
www.koyasanbetsuin.org