On December 14th, "Jumbo Ema," or large votive pictorial plaques, on which next year's oriental zodiac sign, the tiger, is painted, were placed in the precincts of Nagaoka-Tenmangu Shrine, Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto. It has created an early New Year celebratory atmosphere.

The plaques, both 2.7 meters long and 3.6 meters wide, were positioned in two locations: one in front of the "O-torii," or shrine gate on the east side of Hachijogaike pond; the other on the side of the stone steps leading to the main shrine. Both are the work of Akihisa Miwa, a Japanese-style painter living in Kyoto City. Included on the plaques are a colorful striped tiger and the Chinese characters "Kai Un," or good luck.

In the precincts, preparations are continuing, including the set up of a distribution office for New Year's good-luck charms. A visitor also said, "I have a lot of things to do for the New Year. I'm so busy."