Kinoshitakoma - A local toy that originates from a wooden horse shape that is one of Japan's three major pieces, hanging on the chest of a horse presented to the horse [Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture]

Aoiwa
2025.04.11
Last updated: 2025.03.27

table of contents

1 What is Kinoshitakoma?
- 1.1 Mutsu Kokubunji Yakushido <Information>
2 At one point, it was also called a "wooden plate piece."
- 2.1 Kokubuncho <Information>
3 Kinoshitakoma's current situation
- 3.1 Miyagi Serp Collaborative Order Center <Information>
- 3.2 Kokeshi no Shimanuki <INFORMATION>
4 The "Three Greatest Pieces of Japan" local toys from the Tohoku region

Along with Hachimanuma in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture and Miharukoma in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, there is a local toy called Kinoshitakoma is one of the "three greatest komas in Japan"

What is Kinoshitakoma?

Kinoshitakoma (Kinoshitakoma) is a wooden local toy, and its origins date back to the time of the Nara and Heian dynasties.

During the time when Taga Castle flourished as Mutsu Kokufu, the area around today's Miyagino Ward, Sendai City, "Miyagino," pillow, and is an ideal land for horse grazing.

"komahiki" in horses were presented to the imperial court , and it was customary for the director of Taga Kokumin to choose this horse in the Uma City, which is held in the grounds of Mutsu Kokubunji Yakushido in Kinoshita.

When this horse was presented to Kyoto, it was hung with a wooden horse ornament called a "horse-shaped" it is said that the origin of Kinoshitakoma is a wooden horse that was created in imitation of "horse-shaped."

After that, it began to be sold at Kinoshita Yakushi's Hakusan Shrine Festival and at the open-air at Takekoma Shrine in Iwanuma City, and was thought to be placed on a shrine altar as a guardian deity for horses and hung in stables, and became popular among the public.

Mutsu Kokubunji Yakushido <Information>

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

Google Map

At one point, it was also called a "wooden plate piece."

As time passed, when Date Masamune built Sendai Castle and divided the castle town, residents near Mutsu Kokubunji Temple also moved to the castle town to create a new town. Kokubun Town, which is currently known as the most busy area in Tohoku .

As residents moved, the Uma City, which was held in the grounds of Yakushido, was naturally passed down to Kokubuncho.

Furthermore, when combined with Iwanuma Ma City, which was held in Iwanuma at the time, its size became the largest in the Sendai Domain, Sendai Ma City or Kokubunmachi Umaichi, and it became a large horse city known nationwide, with buyers visiting from outside the territory.

the Kisara family , a horsebure (a broker of cows and horses), were selling Kisarakoma in Sendai , and at this time Kisarakoma was now known as Kisarakoma."

Kokubuncho <Information>

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

Google Map

Kinoshitakoma's current situation

Unlike Miharukoma in Fukushima and Hachimanma in Aomori, the history of traditional craftsmen in Kinoshitakoma has unfortunately been discontinued.

Miyagi Serp Collaborative Order Center a Miyagi Prefecture employment support facility for people with disabilities , is reviving the tradition of Kinoshitakoma as part of its activities.

The Kinoshita pieces made here seem to be sold directly at the main store of Kokeshi no Shimanuki and the relevant office, so if you are interested, please contact us.

Miyagi Serp Collaborative Order Center <Information>

Name: Miyagi Serp Collaborative Order Center, a non-profit organization
Address: 5-12-1 Fukurohara, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture 981-1102
Phone number: 022-399-6299
Official URL: https://www.miyagi-selp.org/

Google Map

Kokeshi no Shimanuki <INFORMATION>

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