The Year of the Horse: Galloping into 2026

Ema votive tablets at Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto. (© Pixta)

Kanji for the 12 eto line up in order around a circle. Clockwise from the top, they represent the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and boar. (© Pixta)

A horse cannot understand a nenbutsu prayer, so reciting it is a waste of time. (© Pixta)