Yamazakura Shrine

Ema market is a summer tradition in Hida Takayama. Its origin lies in the beloved horse ``Yamazakura'' of Kanamori Yorinao, the lord of Takayama Castle who ruled Hida Takayama. When the prince was caught in a big fire in Edo Tsume in the 3rd year of the Orime calendar, and the prince was engulfed in raging fire while trying to extinguish the fire at Edo Castle, Yamazakura carried his lord, accompanied by three servants, and crossed the 100-year moat of Edo Castle to save the day. It is reported that. In his later years, ``Yamazakura'' was cared for in a stable in Mukaimachi due to his many years of service. After his death, the horse head was enshrined at Yamazakura Shrine as a spirit to put out fires at the site of the stable, where it is revered as the horse head son, which remains to this day. Paper ema drawn on washi paper were used to pray for the safety of cows and horses and for good income, but today they are popular as lucky charms to pray for family safety and business prosperity.