Close-up detail of Coloured Balls used instead of Wooden Ema at the Yasaka Koshindo Shrine, Kyoto, Japan.

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At the main alter in the temple many people hang coloured balls representing Kukurizaru, a monkey with bound feet and hands. In Koshin belief, it represents the control of the playful and desire-driven creature everyone has inside his body. To have a wish granted, you must sacrifice one desire. If you put your desire inside one of the color balls that represent the monkey Kukurizaru, Koshin will help you to make that desire vanish and because desires are what keep wishes from coming true, your wish will be granted and you will also become a better person.

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Size: 5760px × 3840px
Location: Yasaka Koshindo, 390-1 Kinencho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Photo credit: © GLC Pix / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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