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, Miyagi Prefecture]

In Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, there is a local folk toy called Kinoshita-goma , which is counted among the "Three Great Horses of Japan" along with the Hachiman-uma from Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, and the Miharu-goma from Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture.

Who is Kinoshita Koma?

Kinoshitagoma (Kinoshitagoma) is a local wooden toy whose origins are said to date back to the Nara and Heian periods

During the time when Tagajo flourished as the capital of Mutsu Province, the area around present-day Miyagino Ward in Sendai City"Miyagino,", and was also an ideal location for horse grazing.

Around this time, there was a ceremony called "Komahiki" in which horses were presented to the imperial court , and it was customary for the head of the Taga provincial government to select these horses at a horse market held on the grounds of the Yakushido Hall of Mutsu Kokubunji Temple in Kinoshita.

When these horses were presented to Kyoto, they wore wooden horse ornaments called "horse-shaped" around their necks, and it is said that the wooden horses made in imitation of these "horse-shaped" ornaments are the origin of Kinoshita horses

After that, they began to be sold at stalls at the Hakusan Shrine Festival in Kinoshita Yakushi and the Hatsuuma Festival at Takekoma Shrine in Iwanuma City, and they became popular among the public as they were placed on household altars as guardian deities for pet horses or hung in stables

Mutsu Kokubunji Yakushido Hall <Information>

• Name: Mutsu Kokubunji Yakushido
• Address: 3-8-1 Kinoshita, Wakabayashi Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 984-0047
• Phone number: 022-291-2840
• Official URL:http://www.08943.com/

Google Map

At one time it was called "wooden plate piece."

As time passed, when Date Masamune built Sendai Castle and laid out the town around it, the residents from the area around Mutsu Kokubunji Temple also moved to the castle town and created a new town. This isKokubuncho.

As the residents moved, the horse market that had been held in the grounds of Yakushido was naturally taken over by Kokubuncho

Furthermore, when it merged with the Iwanuma Horse Market, which was held in Iwanuma at the time, it became the largest horse market in the Sendai domain,the Sendai Horse MarketorHorse Market, and developed into a large, nationally renowned horse market that attracted buyers from outside the domain.

At that time, the Kinoshita horses were being sold at the Sendai Horse Market by the Kisara family, who were horse dealers (brokers of cattle and horses) , and thus the Kinoshita horses came to be called " Kisara horses" at that time

Kokubuncho <Information>

• Name: Kokubuncho
• Address: Kokubuncho, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 980-0803
• Phone number:
• Official URL:

Google Map

Kinoshita Koma now

Unlike the Miharu-goma of Fukushima and the Yawata-goma of Aomori, the history of traditional Kinoshita-goma craftsmen has unfortunately been lost

However, Miyagi SELP Collaborative Order Center , a disability employment support facility in Miyagi Prefecture , is reviving the tradition of Kinoshita Komaki as part of its activities.

The Kinoshita Koma made here are sold directly at the Kokeshi no Shimanuki main store and the business office, so if you're interested, please contact us for inquiries

Miyagi Self-Service Collaborative Order Center <Information>

• Name: Nonprofit Organization Miyagi Self-Support Collaborative Order Center
• Address: 5-12-1 Fukurohara, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 981-1102
• Phone number: 022-399-6299
• Official URL:https://www.miyagi-selp.org/

Google Map

Kokeshi Shimanuki ＜Information＞

• Name: Kokeshi no Shimanuki Main Store
• Address: 1F Shimanuki Building, 3-1-17 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 980-0811
• Phone number: 022-223-2370
• Official URL:https://www.shimanuki.co.jp/

Google Map

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...

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

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...

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

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