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Hachimanuma – One of Japan's three major horses, a local lucky toy passed down in the southern horse-breeding areas [Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture]
Hachimanuma – One of Japan's three major horses, a local lucky toy passed down in the southern horse-breeding areas [Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture]
were inseparable from people's lives in the past, playing a vital role in agriculture, warfare, and transportationHorses.
The Tohoku region is home to many excellent horse breeding areas, and this tradition is naturally reflected in the traditional crafts of each region
The Yawataumais one such example, and along with the Miharu-goma from Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, and the Kinoshita-goma from Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, it"Three Great Horses of Japan"is considered one of the
What is Hachimanuma?
Hachinohe City has been an excellent horse breeding area since ancient times
The southern region, including Hachinohe City, was formerlyNukanobu District, and by the beginning of the Nara period, it was already recognized by the imperial court as a breeding ground for excellent horses.
As time progressed, during the Kamakura period, as a result of the "Oshu War," a conflict between the Kamakura shogunate and the Oshu Fujiwara clan, the surrounding area came under the rule of the Nanbu clan. Horses produced in this region"Nanbu horses,"and their superior quality made them highly valued throughout Japan.
It is believed that the origin of the Yawata horse lies in wooden carvings of horses that were made in this land where horses are so familiar, in hopes of the healthy growth of beloved horses
Hachimanuma, named after Kushibiki Hachiman Shrine
Shortly thereafter,Kushihiki Hachimangu Shrinewooden horse toys began to be sold as souvenirs to worshippers at the annual festival of"the horses sold at the Hachiman shrine," they were given the name" (Hachiman Horse)Yawatauma
From then on, Yawata horses began to be raised as a side job for local farmers during the off-season, and are said to have become established in the area
Appearance of the Hachiman horse
The appearance of the Yawata horse is said to represent the formal attire worn by a bride during her wedding procession, and the horse's body is painted primarily in black (bay), red (chestnut), and white (gray)
Traditionally, they are decorated with chiyogami paper and feature dotted stars representing horse equipment such as stirrups and reins, but nowadays it is common to paint patterns that resemble chiyogami directly onto the horse's body
Due to its gorgeous appearance, which is reminiscent of the horses worn in the wedding procession, the Yawata horse is still widely loved today as a lucky charm and as a gift or souvenir for important milestones in life, such as weddings, housewarmings, graduations, and childbirths
Yawatauma ＜Information＞
Name: Yahatuma Co., Ltd
Address: 2-5-2 Numadate, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, 031-0071
the birthplace of the Hachiman horseKushihiki Hachimangu Shrine, is said to have been built in Takinosawa Village in Rokunohe by Nanbu Mitsuyuki, the first head of the Nanbu family. He then moved the Hachimangu shrine from Nanbu-sho in Kai Province (present-day Yamanashi Prefecture), which was the reason he adopted the Nanbu surname, and later moved it again to its current location in Kushihiki Village.
As a shrine located in a region that was once one of Japan's leading horse-breeding areas, it has a deep connection with horses, and during the Autumn Grand Festival, held over three days from the 14th to the 16th of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, theYabusameritual, an ancient Japanese form of mounted archery, is also performed.
Within the grounds of Kushibuki Hachiman Shrine, you can see many donated Hachiman horses
A stone statue of Hachimanuma sits on a pedestal engraved with the word "sacred horse." It is draped in a sacred rope
A black Hachiman horse is enshrined next to the worship hall. It is also wrapped in a sacred rope
Although it can only be seen from a distance, the red and white Hachiman horse can also be seen at the entrance to the main shrine
You can see Yawata horses in many other places, so be sure to look for them when you visit
Yawatauma, which inherits the skills of the late Naojiro Okubo, a master of the traditional "machete carving" technique
the traditional"nata-hori" (hatchet carving)creation of Yawata horses, passed away in 2022. It seemed that one of the traditions of Yawata horses might be lost, but his daughter, Yuko Okubo, has taken over as a Yawata horse artist, carrying on her father's legacy.
Okubo's work, which can be purchased at Kushibuchi Hachiman Shrine, is small, about 3cm tall, but it is decorated with traditional chiyogami paper and the majestic Hachiman horse with its chest held high exudes strength
Kushibiki Hachiman Shrine <Information>
Name: Kushibiki Hachiman Shrine
Address: 3 Yahata Yahatacho, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, 039-1105
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
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