This site is a web media that delivers all kinds of trivia, from sightseeing and gourmet spots in the six Tohoku prefectures to local, customs, and history.
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]
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]
Kinoshita Koma found in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, is one of the "Three Great Horses of Japan," along with Hachimanuma from Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and Miharu-goma from Koriyama,
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 Taga Castle flourished as the capital of Mutsu Province, the area around present-day Miyagino Ward in Sendai City "Miyagino," , and was also ideal for grazing horses.
"Komahiki," in which horses were presented to the Imperial Court , and it was customary for the head of Taga Province to select the horse to be presented at a horse market held in the grounds of the Yakushido Hall of Mutsu Kokubunji Temple in Kinoshita.
Mutsu Kokubunji Yakushido
When this horse was presented to Kyoto, it had a wooden horse ornament called a "Umagata""Umagata" are the origin of Kinoshitagoma.
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
As time passed, when Date Masamune built Sendai Castle and laid out the town around the castle, the residents of the Mutsu Kokubunji area moved to the castle town and created a new town. This is now Kokubuncho, known as the most bustling shopping district .
Current Kokubuncho
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 was combined with the Iwanuma Horse Market that was also being held in Iwanuma at the time, it became the largest in the Sendai domain the Sendai Horse Market or Horse Market.It developed into a large horse market known nationwide, with buyers coming from outside the domain as well.
At that time, the Kinoshita Koma was sold at the Sendai Horse Market by the Kisara family, who were horse traders (middlemen of cattle and horses) , and so Kinoshita Koma came to be called Kisara Koma."
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
Miyagi Self-Support Collaborative Order Center a Miyagi Prefecture employment support organization for people with disabilities , is reviving the Kinoshita Koma tradition 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
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.
