Miharu-goma – One of Japan's three great horses, a local toy that embodies the legend of Sakanoue no Tamuramaro [Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture]

Nishida-cho, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture. In the area where there was once a village called Takashiba-mura of the Miharu Domain during the feudal period, there is a local toy called "Miharu-koma," which is counted as one of the three greatest horse-shaped toys in Japan

What is Miharukoma?

Miharu-goma are horse-shaped children's toys made primarily from square pieces of magnolia wood. They are considered"Three Great Horses of Japan,"and Kinoshita-goma from Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.

There are basically two types of pieces, white and black, and they are painted in red, black, gold, etc., coated with glue to give them a glossy finish, and have hemp manes and tails attached

The Miharu horses created by Hikoji Hashimoto are also famous as the first folk crafts in Japan to be used as a motif for a New Year's stamp in 1954

The official name is "Takashibakinma"

The wooden horse, a toy for children, was originally made in Takashiba Village and was therefore called "Takashiba Kinma" (Takashiba wooden horse)

During the Edo period, Miharu Domain was a famous horse breeding region, and capturing, breeding, and selling wild horses was a major industry for the domain. When distributing these horses, the name "Miharukoma" was used to refer to horses produced in Miharu, similar to what we would call a brand name today

In other words, "Miharukoma" was originally a brand name given to an "actual horse," and it is thought that "Takashibakinma" began to be called by that name around the early to mid-Showa period

By using the name "Miharukoma," which has long been known as a brand name in other regions, it may be that they were trying to raise awareness of the "Takashiba Wooden Horse" as a craft item

The Legend of Miharu-goma

There is also a legend about the origin of Miharu Koma

During the Heian period, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, the Shogun of the Expeditionary Forces, traveled to this area to defeat the demon Otakimaru, who lived in a cave in Mt. Otakine. On that occasion, Enchin, a monk from Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, presented him with 100 small wooden horses as amulets

The battle soon began, but Sakanoue no Tamuramaro's troops were struggling due to fatigue from the long journey. Then, out of nowhere, 100 horsemen appeared, and the soldiers mounted them and attacked Mount Otakine, defeating Otakimaru

After that, the 100 horses suddenly disappear

The next day, one of the villagers found a wooden piece lying sweating near Takashiba village, and learned from a local wise man that it was one of the 100 wooden pieces made by Enchin of Kyoto, so he made his own to replace the missing 99 pieces

A few years later, the one piece that had been found had somehow disappeared, and the remaining 99 pieces that had been made were given to the children of the village.It is said that any child who played with these pieces grew up healthy, and that families without children who offered three soybeans to the rocking horse every day would be blessed with children

Takashiba Deco Yashiki, the birthplace of Miharu Goma, continues to produce the craft to this day

Miharu Goma continues to be made today, and the Takashiba Deco House in Nishida-cho, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture (formerly Takashiba Village, Miharu Domain) is said to be its birthplace

It is famous nationwide as the birthplace of toys, and four craftsmen's households continue to preserve their respective traditions and make Miharu papier-mâché dolls, papier-mâché masks, daruma dolls, and more

Since World War II, only one shop,"Hikoji Mingei,".

Miharukoma <Information>

• Name: Takashiba Deco House Hikoji Folk Crafts
• Address: 80-1 Tateno, Takashiba, Nishida-cho, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, 963-0902
• Phone number: 024-972-2412
• Official URL:http://dekoyashiki-hikojimingei.co.jp/

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Tohoku region's local toys: "Japan's Three Great Koma"

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Hachimanuma - One of Japan's three great horses, a local lucky charm toy passed down in the southern horse-breeding areas [Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/39105

Horses were once an inseparable part of people's lives, used for farming, warfare, and transportation. The Tohoku region is home to many excellent horse-breeding areas, and their legacy is naturally reflected in the traditional crafts of each region. The Yawatauma (Hachiman Horse) is one such example, a local toy considered one of Japan's three great horses, along with the Miharu-goma (Miharu Horse) of Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, and the Kinoshita-goma (Kinoshita Horse) of Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. What is a Yawatauma? Hachinohe City, a prominent horse-breeding area since ancient times. The southern region, including Hachinohe City, was once called Nukanobu County, and was already recognized by the Imperial Court as a breeding area for excellent horses by the early Nara period. As time passed, during the Kamakura period, the Kamakura government and the Oshu Fujiwara clan...

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Kinoshita Koma - One of Japan's three major horses, a local toy that originated from a wooden horse shape worn on the chest of a tribute horse [Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/39433

Kinoshita Koma, a local toy found in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, is one of the "Three Great Horses of Japan," along with the Hachimanuma of Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, and the Miharu Goma of Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture. What is Kinoshita Koma? Kinoshita Koma (Kinoshita Koma) is a wooden local toy whose origins are said to date back to the Nara and Heian periods. During the time when Taga Castle flourished as the capital of Mutsu Province, the area surrounding what is now Miyagino Ward in Sendai City was home to a vast plain known as "Miyagino," a famous poetic phrase often sung in waka poetry. It was also ideal for horse grazing. Around that time, there was an event called "Komahiki," in which horses were presented to the Imperial Court, and the head of Taga Province presented...

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Miharu Koma - One of Japan's three great horses, a local toy that embodies the legend of Sakanoue no Tamuramaro [Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/36899

Nishida-cho, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture. In the area where Takashiba Village, part of the Miharu Domain, was located during the feudal era, there is a local toy called "Miharu Koma," which is considered one of Japan's three great horses. What is Miharu Koma? Miharu Koma is a horse-shaped children's toy made primarily from square lumber cut from magnolia. It is also considered one of Japan's three great horses, along with the Yahata-uma from Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, and the Kinoshita-goma from Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. Miharu Koma (Black Horse): There are two basic types: white horse and black horse. They are painted in red, black, gold, etc., applied with glue for a glossy finish, and have hemp manes and tails. Miharu Koma (White Horse): Hashimoto Hikoji...

Aoiwa

Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs