[Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture] Hachiman Mama is one of Japan's three major local toys that are handed down in the southern horse production area.

Aoiwa
2025.03.17
Last updated: 2025.03.12

table of contents

1 What is Hachimanuma?
2 Hachiman horse at Kushibiki Hachimangu Shrine
- 2.1 Hachiman horse inherits the techniques of the late Okubo Naojiro, who was said to be the master of the traditional technique "machi carving"
- 2.2 Kushihiki Hachimangu Shrine＜Information＞

horses were inseparable from people's lives, such as farming, war, and transportation .

There are many excellent horse production areas in the Tohoku region, and their appearance is naturally reflected in traditional crafts from various regions.

Yawatauma is a local toy that is considered one of the "three greatest pieces of Japan" along with Miharukoma in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture and Kinoshitakoma in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture

What is Hachimanuma?

Hachinohe city has been an excellent horse production area since ancient times.

The southern region, including Hachinohe City, was once Nukanobugun , and by the beginning of the Nara period it was already recognized by the imperial court as a production area for excellent horses.

As times advanced, during the Kamakura period, the battle between the Kamakura administration and the Oshu Fujiwara clan, as a result of Oshu Battle "Nanbu Uma" and due to their excellence, they became popular all over the country.

Hachiman horses are thought to have originated in a wood-carved horse that was carved to wish for the successful growth of their beloved horses in the land that is well-known to them.

Hachimanma, named after the address of Kushibiki Hachimangu Shrine

Shortly afterwards, wooden horse toys began to be sold as souvenirs for pilgrimage visitors at the Kushihiki Hachimangu "the horses sold at Hachiman shrines ," they were named directly and became known as "Yawatauma."

Since then, Hachimanuma has been created as a side job for local farmers during the off-season, and is said to have become established in this area.

Hachiman horse's appearance

The appearance of Hachiman horses is said to represent the appearance of the bride's riding outfit when they marry their bride, and the horse body is painted in a color based on black (deer hair), red (chest hair), and white (green hair).

Traditional items are decorated with chiyogami paper, with dot stars depicting harness such as armor and reins, but nowadays, patterns that imitate chiyogami paper are painted directly on the horse body.

Due to its gorgeous appearance, which is a horse riding outfit when marrying, Hachiman horses are still widely popular today as lucky charms, as a celebration and commemorative gift in life, such as marriage, new home, graduation, or childbirth.

Hachiman Ma <Information>

Name: Hachimanuma Co., Ltd.
Address: 2-5-2 Numadate, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture 031-0071
Phone number: 0178-22-5729
Official URL: https://www.yawatauma.co.jp/

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Hachiman horse at Kushibiki Hachimangu Shrine

Kushihiki Hachimangu the birthplace of Hachimanuma, is said to have been relocated to Kushibiki Hachimangu, the first Nanbu Mitsuyuki, the Nanbu family, built a shrine building in Takinosawa village in Rokunohe, and moved Hachimangu Shrine from Nanbusho in Kai Province (now Yamanashi Prefecture), where he was the trigger for him to take the name Nanbu surname, and then relocated again to his current location in Kushibiki Village.

As this shrine is located in one of Japan's leading horse production areas, it has a deep connection with horses, and at the autumn festival held on three days from August 14th to 16th in the lunar calendar, a Yabusame, a , will also be offered.

Many Hachiman horses are available to see within the grounds of Kushibiki Hachimangu Shrine.

Hachiman horse stone statue carved with a divine horse

A stone statue of Hachiman horse sits on a pedestal carved with the words "The Godly Horse." She is wearing a shimenawa.

Black Hachiman Horse at Kushibiki Hachiman Shrine

A black Hachiman horse sits next to the worship hall. This one is also worn with a shimenawa.

The red and white Hachiman horses of Kushibiki Hachiman Shrine

Although it can only be seen from a distance, you can see red and white Hachiman horses at the entrance to the main shrine.

You can also see Hachimanuma in various other places, so please look for it when you visit.

Hachiman horse inherits the techniques of the late Okubo Naojiro, who was said to be the master of the traditional technique "machi carving"

the traditional technique "natahori" , passed away in 2022, and it was thought that one of the traditions of Hachiman horses would be crushed, but Okubo's daughter, Okubo Yuko, has inherited the wishes of her father as a Hachiman horse artist.

Okubo's works, which can be purchased at Kushibiki Hachimangu Shrine, are small, at about 3cm tall, but they are decorated with traditional chiyogami paper, and the proud, Hachimangu horse is proud and boasts a sense of strength.