Koreans Making Wishes at Symbol of Colonial Rule? Korean Plaques at Meiji Shrine Stir Online Debate

Wishes Range from Family Health to Stock Market Gains
Criticism Mounts: “Tourism Is Free, but People Should Know the History”
Teacher Wish Plaques Also Surfaced Online in 2013

Photos showing Korean-language wish plaques hanging at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan, have been spreading online, sparking controversy. Some critics argue that Korean tourists making wishes at a place enshrining Emperor Meiji, without giving due consideration to historical context, is problematic.

On July 14, a post by a Korean tourist claiming to have visited Meiji Shrine was rapidly shared on social media and networking platforms. The author explained that ‘ema’—wooden plaques on which visitors write and hang their wishes—were installed at the shrine, and a significant number of them had messages written in Korean. The author emphasized the historical significance of Meiji Shrine and argued that, rather than simply appreciating the forest and architecture, one should be careful when engaging in acts of worship or making wishes there.

The most controversial phrase is the wish plaque that says, "Please let me pass the appointment exam and become a full-time teacher," and "Please let me become a good history teacher." Screenshot from SNS

The accompanying photos showed plaques bearing Korean messages wishing for business prosperity, success in fulfilling wishes, and good health and happiness for one's family. One wish plaque, apparently written very recently based on the date, read “To 10,000 KOSPI”—expressing a hope for the stock index to rise. An ema refers to a small wooden plaque used at Japanese shrines or temples, on which visitors write their wishes and offer them.

The most controversial plaques contained phrases such as “Please let me pass the appointment and become a full-time teacher,” and “Please let me become a good history teacher.” Viewers who saw these messages commented, “It is ironic for someone hoping to teach history to be making wishes at Meiji Shrine,” “Tourism is free, but people should know the history of the places they visit,” and “It seems they took photos and made wishes as if at any other tourist site.”

Some have claimed that the 'history teacher' wish plaque was not created recently, but rather more than ten years ago, pointing out that the same photo and message circulated on social media back in 2013 and already ignited heated debate at the time. Back then, opinions clashed: some said it was inappropriate because the shrine enshrines Emperor Meiji, while others countered that Meiji Shrine is not equivalent to Yasukuni Shrine, where war criminals are enshrined, or suggested that the phrases emphasizing ‘history’ might have been intentionally written to make a point.

The recently written wish plaques contained Korean phrases wishing for business prosperity, fulfillment of wishes, and the health and happiness of families. In particular, one wish plaque had a message hoping for a rise in stock prices, saying "Let's go to KOSPI 10,000." Screenshot from SNS

Meiji Shrine is located in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo. According to its official website, it was established in 1920 and is dedicated to Emperor Meiji, the 122nd emperor of Japan, and his wife, Empress Shoken. The shrine explains that it was built to honor their role in laying the foundation for Japan’s modernization.

However, perspectives on the Meiji period differ in Korea. Following the Meiji Restoration, Japan formed an emperor-centered national system and expanded its influence into neighboring regions. Through the First Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War, Japan strengthened its control over the Korean Empire and ultimately annexed Korea by force in 1910. The National Institute of Korean History also explains that after the Meiji Restoration, Japan redirected its aggression toward Joseon, culminating in annexation in 1910.

As a result, there is an argument that Meiji Shrine cannot be regarded as just an ordinary sightseeing spot in Tokyo, and that Koreans, before participating in worship or offering wishes, should consider the historical weight of the site. Conversely, others argue that, since there are differences between Meiji Shrine—which enshrines the imperial couple—and Yasukuni Shrine—which enshrines convicted war criminals—blanket criticism of individual visitors’ actions is excessive.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.