Yawata-uma is a wooden folk toy horse handed down in the Nanbu region centered on Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture, and it is counted, together with Miharu-goma from Fukushima Prefecture and Kinoshita-goma from Miyagi Prefecture, as one of the "Three Great Horses of Japan" (Nihon San-Koma). The region was once home to the celebrated Nanbu horse breed, and the toy is said to have originated when wooden horses were sold as souvenirs to worshippers gathering for the grand festival of Kushihiki Hachiman-gu Shrine in the Yawata district of Hachinohe City; the name "Yawata-uma" comes from the place name Yawata. The rustic wooden horse set on a pedestal, decorated with vivid red and blue patterns, is said to reflect the finely dressed horses that once paraded in rural wedding processions. From the Meiji era onward, its role expanded from a children's toy to a keepsake for celebratory occasions, and today it is cherished as a gift for weddings, new homes, and births. In March 1996 it was designated an Aomori Prefecture Traditional Craft, and the skills required to finish it entirely by hand - from cutting the wood and painting to attaching the mane - continue to be passed down.
Origin
There are several theories about the origin of Yawata-uma, but it is said to have begun when wooden horses were sold as souvenirs to worshippers gathering for the grand festival (August 15 on the old lunar calendar) of Kushihiki Hachiman-gu Shrine in the Yawata district of Hachinohe City, in the Nanbu region known for its fine horses. It is said to have come to be called Yawata-uma from "the little horse of Yawata," and another theory holds that its roots lie in toys carved by farmers as a side occupation during the agricultural off-season.
History
From the Meiji era onward, as society and daily life changed, the meaning of Yawata-uma shifted as well, developing into an auspicious charm wishing happiness for children and families, taking forms such as a parent-and-child horse or a horse in the finery of a wedding procession. Highly regarded as one of the "Three Great Horses of Japan," it was designated an Aomori Prefecture Traditional Craft in March 1996. Today, production is centered on Yawata-uma Co., Ltd. in Numadate, Hachinohe City, which continues to make the toy while carrying on traditional techniques and designs.
Features
Its greatest characteristic is the rustic wooden horse body, hand-painted with vivid floral and geometric patterns in pigments such as red, blue, and black, with a mane and tail made from hemp thread or horsehair. The figure set on a pedestal is said to reflect the finery worn by horses in wedding processions. The process proceeds in the order of cutting the wood, carving, undercoating, decorative painting, and attaching the mane and tail, and because every step is done by hand, no two horses have quite the same expression.
Production Process
- 1
Cutting the wood
The wood that will become the horse's body is cut to the required size.
- 2
Carving
The shape of the horse is carved out with a blade and finished into smooth curves.
- 3
Undercoating
A white undercoat is applied to the carved wooden body.
- 4
Decorative painting
Floral and geometric patterns are hand-painted using pigments such as red, blue, and black.
- 5
Attaching the mane
Hemp thread or horsehair is attached for the mane and tail to complete the piece.
Artisans & Workshops
株式会社八幡馬
Founded in 1954, Yawata-uma Co., Ltd. is the maker of Yawata-uma with a workshop in Numadate, Hachinohe City. It continues to produce Yawata-uma designated as an Aomori Prefecture Traditional Craft using traditional techniques and designs, and also works to spread the culture through painting workshops held at elementary schools and elsewhere.
Official site →How to Buy
- 東北スタンダードマーケット（カネイリ）
- An online shop selling Aomori craft products. The 9cm-size Yawata-uma is available from around 3,630 yen.Where to buy →PR
- カネイリミュージアムショップ（八戸ポータルミュージアムはっち内）
- A craft shop on the first floor of Hacchi, a mixed-use facility in Mikka-machi, Hachinohe City. It also carries original-design Yawata-uma (15cm size, around 7,150 yen).Where to buy →PR