monkey leading horse

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. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .
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- - - monkey leading a horse
saru no umabiki 猿の馬曳き　// saru no komabiki 猿の駒曳き
saru hiki uma 猿曳き馬 - 猿曳馬 // saru hiki koma 猿曳き駒 - 猿曳駒
uma hiki saru 馬曳猿 // koma hiki saru 駒曳猿
umaya saru 厩猿 monkey in a horse stable

Monkeys were seen as protector animals for horses
and their amulets were kept in the horse stables.
In modern times, amulets and ema votive tablets are kept in the garage to protect the car !

- quote -
Following Chinese traditions that keeping a monkey in a stable would protect horses from diseases and accidents, the Japanese gave monkeys the important role of horse guardians, honorifically called the umayagami (厩神, "stables god").
This belief gave rise to two related practices.
First, both samurais and farmers covered their quivers with monkey hides so as to harness the protective power of the monkey over horses.
Second, people drew horse pictures on ema (絵馬, lit. "picture horse") "votive wooden plaques" and offered them at Shinto shrines to ensure the health of their horses.
"A large number of ema from various historical periods and regions of Japan depict monkeys pulling horses, providing rich evidence that the monkey functioned as guardian of horses." Monkeys were believed to scare away other animals and pests, and farmers in southern Japan fed monkeys in order to protect their fields.
The monkey's role in healing was not limited to horses, ...
- - - More in the WIKIPEDIA !

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ezen 絵銭 coins with pictures

saru hiki koma 猿曳駒 - Meiji period

source : yamatobunko.jp...



source : kaguracyan-essensu.seesaa.net...


Saru-Hiki-Goma monkey leading horse - Edo period

source : etsy.com/listing...



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- ABC - List from the Prefectures

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................................................................................ Aichi 愛知県

saru no umabiki ema 猿の馬曳き絵馬 monkey leading a horse,
ema votive tablet - from Susaki Jinja 洲崎神社







................................................................................ Iwate 岩手県

Hayachine Jinja "早池峰神社 - 猿曳駒


source : dostoev.exblog.jp...



source : twitter.com/yajiyajimax...


. Hayachine Jinja 早池峰神社 Hayachine Shrine .




................................................................................ Miyagi 宮城県

Nakano Sakura Jinja 中野桜神社 / Ishinomaki - 猿の駒曳き


source : komafun.blog.so-net.ne.jp/...




................................................................................ Nagano 長野県

Iwade Kannon Temple 岩出観音
1431-8 Suhara, Okuwa, Kiso District, Nagano


source : kisouma26.exblog.jp...




................................................................................ Tochigi 栃木県

. Nikko Toshogu Shrine 東照宮 - Tokugawa Ieyasu .


source : shinshizo.com/2012...

馬曳猿


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. . . CLICK here for Photos !

. . . CLICK here for Photos of ema !


. Reference 猿の馬曳き　.


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. Japan - Shrines and Temples .


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- - - #monkeyleadinghorse #umabikisaru #komabikisaru #sarukomabiki #saruumabiki - - - - -
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Takeuma stilts

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Takeuma　竹馬 "bamboo horse", stilts . Takeuma, take uma, chikuba 竹馬 stilts . lit. "bamboo horse" takauma 高馬、taka-ashi 高足、takashi たかし、 sagiashi 鷺足 "legs of a heron" Stelzen kigo for all winter chikuba no tomo 竹馬の友 friends since walking on stilts quote It is traditional that boys play with takeuma. The takeuma are a pair of bamboo poles with footrests attached perpendicularly to each pole. First children practice walking on the stilts while keeping their balance. When they are able to do this well they can then advance to the next stage which consists of doing acrobatic performances, racing, and wrestling with friends. It is not that difficult to make stilts by hand. Children used to make stilts by themselves with crosspieces fixed at the bamboo joints. Lately, however, wooden and plastic mass-produced stilts have appeared and replaced the hand-made ones. source : japanese-culture.info ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 Woodcut illustrations of old games and toys むかし遊び大会 source : H14asobi ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 - ABC - List of takeuma from the Prefectures ................................................................................. . . . . . . . . . . Aichi Ryuusenji no kubi uma 竜泉寺首馬 horse head from temple Ryusen-Ji . kushiuma, kushi uma　串馬 . ................................................................................. . . . . . . . . . . Tottori 伯耆倉吉製竹馬　From Hoki, Kurayoshi 巨泉玩具帖 source : designwork-s.com ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 . . . CLICK here for Photos ! . Reference . ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 竹馬を杖にもけふはたのむかな わらはあそびを思ひ出でつつ takeuma o tsue ni mo kyoo wa tanomu kana warawa asobi o omoide tsutsu I put my faith in a bamboo pony as my cane, today. Living together with memories of child-play. . Saigyo Hoshi　西行法師 . Tr. Robin Gill ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 竹馬の影近づきし障子かな takeuma no kage chikazukishi shooji kana the shape of bamboo stilts comes nearer to the paper sliding door . . . Matsumoto Takashi 松本たかし　 Takashi Memorial Day たかし忌 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 Herbstsonne. Der Schatten des Mädchens geht auf Stelzen. Ingrid Kunschke Auf langen Stelzen eilt mein Schatten übers Feld – Dezembersonne Winfried Benkel source : 2004 www.Haiku-heute.de :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: source : enjoy-history.boso.net Daruma san and a "bamboo horse" source : yamadaruma

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Owari Four Kannon Temples

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Owari shi Kannon 尾張四観音 - The Four Kannon Temples of Owari They were erected in the auspicious directions to protect the castle of Nagoya from evil influence. source :　hitodegoya.blog55.fc2.com You visit the one of the auspicious direction of the year, and then continue as shown in the illustration above. Deity of the auspicious direction (ehoo 恵方) . God of the year, toshigami 年神（としがみ） . ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 愛知県名古屋市中川区荒子町の 荒子観音 Arako Kannon quote Arako Kannon is one of the four major Kannon temples in the Owari region. This is a temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism named Kannonji. It is famous for about 1200 Buddhist statues made by Enku in the site. It was established in 729 and repaired in 1576 by the lord of Kaga, Maeda Toshiie. Its tahoto pagoda was repaired in 1536. The pagoda is the oldest wooden building in Nagoya and is registered as a cultural asset of national importance. source : www.ncvb.or.jp quote It was established by a monk, Taichou-Taishi. in 729. The main temple had destroyed by a fire many times and rebuilt again of each time. The latest fire broke out in 1994 and rebuilt 1997. But the two story pagoda called Tahouto has been kept since the last construction in 1536. This is the oldest wooden structure in Nagoya City. In Arako Kannon, they have approximately 1240 images of Budda carved by Enkuu (1632-1696). We can view them in the afternoon of the 2nd Saturday every month. Enkuu is a very famous monk who traveled to many places in Japan, from Hokkaido to Shikoku and Kyushu, and carved so many images of Buddha so called Enku-butsu. He was close to the 10th monk of Arako-Kannon, Ensei. Maybe, that is why he left such a large number of the images of Buddha there. 138 Miyamado, Arako-cho, Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya source : kikuko.web.infoseek.co.jp quote by James F. Goater, 2009 Nagoya's oldest building: Arako Kannon When the famed Buddhist monk, and compulsive wood-carver, Enku ,took up residence at the Arako Kannon temple (Kannonji, in today’s Nakagawa Ward) in 1676, this venerable temple was already over 900 years old, having been established in the early Heian period of the 8th century. Housing one of the region’s most important Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) statues, Arako Kannon has retained its pre-eminence in the district to the present day. Of additional interest is the fact that of the various structures on-site when Enku arrived, one is still in existence. The two-tiered Tahoto (treasure) Pagoda had already been standing for 140 years in 1676, and it is still there in 2008 – a Muromachi Period building designated as a national cultural asset, and by far the city’s oldest structure. Records indicate that, in 1536, the pagoda was rebuilt by local carpenters, partially from materials from an earlier structure on the same site. Despite the periodic fires which have devastated most temples at one time or another during their histories – as recently as 1994 the main temple building of Kannonji was destroyed by fire – the Tahoto Pagoda has so far remained safe from this scourge for 472 years! During his residence in the temple, Enku completed around one thousand wooden figures, ranging in size from a few centimeters to the huge 3 meter figures which act as temple guardians, situated in the temple’s main gate. Most of these figures, however, were lost to history from the time immediately after Enku’s departure. Amazingly, it was 300 years before they were found – nestling in carefully-packed boxes, covered in dust, located in a recess within the Tahoto Pagoda. In 1972, Arako Kannon’s then chief priest opened these ancient boxes and made the discovery. A museum was set up within the temple precincts soon after, containing 1,255 wooden figures. It is worth a visit, as is the oldest building in Nagoya nearby. source : www.centraljapan.jp . Enku, the Master Carver 円空 (Enkuu) . ［1632?～1695］ ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 愛知県あま市甚目寺の 甚目寺観音 Jimokuji Kannon quote Chizan Sect of Shingon School Established in A.D. 597 Jimoku-ji means Jimoku Temple and Kannon is a Goddess of Mercy. In the Asuka period (552-710), A fisherman called Tatsumaro, who lived in Jimoku Villege, found a golden image of Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) in his fishing net at 200m-southeast from the present temple. Then he built a thatched roof hut and enshrined it in 597. This is the beginning of this temple. Then Jimokoji Kannon is the foremost oldest temple following with Hoko-ji or Asuka-dera or Gango-ji (A.D.592) and Shitenno-ji (A.D.593). We can view he image of Kannon once in every 50 years. The last exhibition was held on Nov.18 to 25 in 2001. 24 Aza Higashi-Monzen, Oaza Jimokuji, Jimokuji-cho, Ama-gun source : kikuko.web.infoseek.co.jp ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 愛知県名古屋市守山区龍泉寺の 龍泉寺観音 Ryusenji Kannon Ryuusenji 龍泉寺 Ryusen-Ji "Dragon Fountain Temple" 松洞山大行院 Tendai sect The main deity is Bato-Kannon, the Horse-Headed Kannon. 1-902 Ryusenji, Moriyama-ku, Nagoya C. Legend knows that this temple had been built by the Dragon Deity in just one night. When priest Dengyo Daishi visited here on his way to the shrine Atsuta Jingu, he had a vision. When he recited sutras at the Tatara pond 多々羅池, the Dragon Deity appeared and made its way to heaven, and the statue of a horse-headed Kannon appeared, now the main deity at this temple. The temple is located on a hill overlooking the river Shonaigawa 庄内川 and has a wonderful look down on the Nobi plain 濃尾平野. source : www.ryusenji.com/ Ryuusenji no kubi uma 竜泉寺首馬 horse head from temple Ryusen-Ji kushiuma, kushi uma　串馬 . takeuma, take uma 竹馬 "bamboo horse" stilts . usually a pair in red and white. A papermachee head is placed on a bamboo stick. The white horse wards off evil at a ceremony of the imperial court 白馬節会 (Aouma no sechi-e) and this is a local reminder. It is made from paper (hariko) and as a pun HARI is read as HARU, harukoma 春駒 horse of spring. In former times horses were of utmost importance to the people. Now people buy this horse at the New Year for good luck. . Aichi Folk Art - 愛知県　. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Ryuufukuji 真言宗天林山笠覆寺 Ryufuku-Ji, short "Kasadera" Ryuufukuji 笠覆寺観音 Ryufukuji Kannon Kasadera Kannon 笠寺観音 "Kannon at the Rain Hat Temple" 愛知県名古屋市南区笠寺町の quote Ryufuku-ji temple Shingon sect, founded by priest Zenko. In January 1814, a statue of Juichimen-Kannon (Eleven-faced Goddess of Mercy) was found from the ground of Kasadera-Kannon precincts. It became a big news and people came to pray or just to have a look at it. It was a kind of turmoil and the temple had been crowded day after day like festivals. There is also a famous statue of Fudo Myo-O 不動明王　venerated. A Fudo Market Fair is held on the 18th and 28th each month. With more old illustrations source : kikuko.web.infoseek.co.jp This temple is dedicated to the memory of the beautiful Princess Tamateru Hime 玉照姫, who had been taken by a rich man from Narumi and lived in great misfortune. Day and night she prayed to a stone statue Kannon. One day with a heavy rainfall, she put her own straw rain hat on the statue to protect her. By chance Fujiwara no Kanehira 藤原兼平  (875 - 935), came by on this day and saw her. Her luck changed and she married Kanehira, still praying to the Kannon statue with the straw hat. Thus she could begin to rebuild the temple. Now there are amulets in memory of this finding a good partner (enmusubi 縁結び). 縁結び御守り source : omamorida.com Matsuo Basho was impressed by the story of this temple and offered this hokku as a greeting: 笠寺や漏らぬ岩屋も春の雨　 Kasa-dera ya moranu iwaya mo haru no ame temple Kasadera ! even at the watertight grotto the rain of spring Written in the spring of 1687 貞亨4年春 Visiting temples with . Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD . ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 There is also a pilgrimage to 33 Kannon temples in Owari source :　www.asahi-net.or.jp The Owari Thirty-three Kannon Temples (尾張三十三観音 Owari Sanjuusan Kannon) are a collection of Buddhist temples in western Aichi Prefecture, Japan, all dedicated to the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. The name is derived from Owari Province, the former name for the area. The list was created in 1955. Find the temple names here - 　More in the WIKIPEDIA ! . Ryootanji 龍潭寺 temple Ryotan-Ji . Nr. 18 on the Owari Kannon Pilgrimage. . Kannon Bosatsu 観音菩薩 - INFO .

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Eto zodiac animals - INFO

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12 Zociac animals 干支　 eto, kanshi

signs of the zodiac in Chinese astrology



Read this first please:
. Asian zodiac animals .


. eto Daruma 干支だるま Daruma with zodiac animals .

and

. Calendar Systems of Asia .


source :　Kouichi - facebook


Chinese astrology
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


Zodiac Calendar and Lore -
. Mark Schumacher .
The best introduction !

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Jizo Bosatsu on the 12 Zodiac Animals

. Mitoku San, Temple Sanbutsu-Ji .
三徳山三仏寺

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There are 12 zociac animals, also representing one of the heavenly directions.
They come in the following order:

. ne 子 (nezumi 鼠) Rat (mouse)

. ushi 丑 Ox (cow, bull) .

. tora 寅 Tiger .

. u (usagi) 卯 Rabbit .

. tatsu 辰 Dragon .

. mi (hebi) 巳 Snake, Serpent .

. uma 午 Horse .

. mi (hitsuji) 未 Ram (sheep) .

. saru 申 Monkey .

. tori 酉 Rooster (chicken, cock) .
--- shinkei 神鶏 sacred rooster

. inu 戌 Dog .

. i (inoshishi) 亥 Boar (wild boar) .


These zodiac animals are well loved items for the yearly talisman.
Many are found on simple clay bells.



CLICK for more clay bell collections !


tatsumi たつみ (辰巳／巽) the south-east direction
of the dragon and the snake


. ushitora 丑寅 the north-east direction .
Kimon, the "Demon Gate" 鬼門
guarded also by the monkey and the fox



Photo source : 神霊の思頼

. 干支霊場 Pilgrimages to 12 Zodiac Animals Temples .

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Eto from Ise shrine 伊勢神宮



Since many skilled carpenters work for the grand shrine at Ise, they also tried their hand at carving the zodiac animals.
There is even a special exhibition hall for them.
伊勢一刀彫会館

They are a well-liked amulet for safety in the New Year since 1949.


Dragon for 2012

. Ise Shrine and its KIGO - Ise Jingu 伊勢神宮.


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. eto ittobori 干支一刀彫り cut with one blade .
Munakata Taisha 宗像大社, Fukuoka



. eto no migawari san　干支の身代わりさん
zodiac animals take on your bad luck .
Nezu Jinja 根津神社　Nezu Shrine, Tokyo



zodiac animals as small netsuke on strings
干支根付守り

. . . CLICK here for Photos !

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. . . CLICK here for Photos !

. Reference .

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source :　blog.goo.ne.jp/seigetu23

eto with Daruma - Darumooo !

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medetai na shinnen iwau eto hariko

how auspicious !
the papermachee dolls
for the New Year

source :　Hyogo Traditinal Folk Art

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. hahako 母子 / 母と子 mother and child dolls .
for the year 2014 of the horse　- umadoshi 午年　



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Zodiac Signs of the Buddhist Mandala
The zodiac signs as we presently know them were devised around the year 500 BCE in Mesopotamia based on an earlier model of eighteen signs. Within a few centuries the Greeks were deeply involved in the study of astronomy and astrology. Hellenistic astrology, which was the foundation for later European and Islamic traditions of astrology, was largely produced in Alexandria in Egypt starting around the second century BCE. Alexander died in 323 and Ptolemy took control of Egypt. The Ptolemaic Kingdom (305–30 BCE) ruled over Egypt until it came under Roman domination after the death of Cleopatra (69–30 BCE). The Romans subsequently took a deep interest in astrology and in the late Republic of the first century BCE it served as an exotic and alternative system of divination in competition with traditional Roman divination (augury and so forth). Although the chronology is somewhat unclear, between the second to fifth centuries CE, Hellenistic astrology was introduced to India and in various ways blended with the native systems of religious lore and astrology based on the twenty-seven or twenty-eight nakṣatra-s (lunar stations).
- source : huayanzang.blogspot.my -

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. Doobutsu 動物 Animals and Amulets .
other than the ETO animals.
reijuu 霊獣 sacred animals


. Netsuke omamori 根付お守り netsuke amulets .


. Regional Folk Toys from Japan .


. Tohoku after the BIG earthquake March 11, 2011

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- #zodiacanimals -
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Uma (koma) Horse - INFO

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koma 駒 / uma 馬 Horse Toys Japan
kigoma 木駒 horse toy made from wood

The horse is one of the 12 zodial animals of the Asian calendar.

. 12 zociac animals 干支　 eto, kanshi .


. uma 馬 koma 駒伝説　horse legends .


. hatsu uma, hatsu-uma 初午 First Day of the Horse .
hatsu uma moode 初午詣 first shrine visit on the day of the horse


. monkey leading a horse .
saru hiki uma 猿曳き馬 - 猿曳馬 // saru hiki koma 猿曳き駒 - 猿曳駒


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horse heads from various temples dedicated to the

. Horseheaded Kannon (Batoo Kannon 馬頭観音) .



Kanazawa kubi uma 金沢の首馬 "horse head" from Kanazawa
Ishikawa prefecture

Ryusen-Ji 竜泉寺首馬 (Aichi, see below)

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Kasadera Kannon, Nagoya 笠寺観音 Kannon at the "Rain Hat Temple"
名古屋市南区
Kasadera no fuku uma 笠寺のふく馬
Kasadera no kubi um 笠寺の首馬
source : kubiuma.htm

Even Matsuo Basho visited this famous temple:
. Owari shi Kannon 尾張四観音 -The Four Kannon Temples of Owari . 　　


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he rides alone
on his steckenpferd -
summer heat




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The following HP gives a list of all the
horse toys named KOMA of Japan.

Check it out to see the photos:
source : koma no ganngu.html...




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. . . . . Aichi

. haru koma 春駒 spring horse .
Ryuusenji no kubi uma 竜泉寺首馬 horse head from temple Ryusen-Ji

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. Kira no aka uma 吉良の赤馬 red horse from Kira .
Nishio 西尾
and the story of Kira Kozukenosuke 吉良上野介 and the 47 Ronin (Chushingura)

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. saru no umabiki ema 猿の馬曳き絵馬 monkey leading a horse, .
from Susaki Jinja 洲崎神社
- and
Nagoya no Kasadera no wara uma 名古屋の笠寺の藁馬 / ふく馬 fuku uma
auspicious straw horse from temple Kasadera

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kushi uma dorei 串馬土鈴 clay bell like
a head doll of a horse
Steckenpferd

. Kubi ningyoo 首人形 head dolls INFO .
kushi ningyoo 串人形 dolls on a stick



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. . . . . Akita 田沢湖町 Lake Tawawako


komadaki dooji 駒抱き童子 child holding a horse


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. . . . . Aomori



Mutsugoma, Mutsu koma むつ駒 Horse from Mutsu



Hachiman koma 八幡駒 Hachiman horse
from the shrine Kushibiki Hachimangu 櫛引八幡宮 / Hachinohe town 八戸市



- - - - - Sarunori Hachiman koma 猿乗り八幡駒 Monkey on a Hachiman horse




Nanbu koma odori 南部駒踊り Dancing Nanbu Horses
(from the festival) Towada town 十和田市




Hirosaki umakko 弘前馬コ horses from Hirosaki




uma nori dattan jin 馬乗りダッタン人 Russian on horses


. Folk Toys from Aomori .
Yawata uma 八幡馬（やわたうま） Yahata horse



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. . . . . Fukuoka

. Hassaku no Uma　八朔の馬 Hassaku Horse

. WKD : Hassaku celebrations .
First day of the eighth lunar month.


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. . . . . Fukushima

. Horse toys from Fukushima .

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. . . . . Ibaraki

Mayumi koma 真弓駒, Mayumi uma 真弓馬 horse amulet from Mayumi
Hitachi Ota, 那珂郡 Naka district, Mayumi village, shrine Mayumi Jinja 真弓神社
This shrine belonged to
Muramatsuyama village, temple Kokuuzoo Doo 村松山虚空藏堂 Kokuzo-Do, founded by Kobo Daishi.



It has been made as an offering to the shrine from the wood of old cedar trees in the mountain forest around Mayumi village.
The wooden horse plates are colored in black, red and yellow and stand on a special tray.
The village was also famous for its horses. From a life horse to a wooden horse statue to ema votive tablets, this horse is honored at the shrine.

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. makomo uma まこも馬 wild rice straw horse



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. . . . . Ishikawa

harukoma 春駒 spring horse, white or red
Kanazawa



CLICK for more samples of harukoma horses.
harukoma 春駒 clay bell

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. . . . . Iwate

ita koma 板駒 horse on a plate / Hanamaki

. kiri koma, kirikoma 桐駒 / 桐馬 horses from paulownia wood .

Nanbu koma 南部駒 Nambu Horses (clay bell)

senjin koma 先陣駒 vanguard horse / Hanamaki

. Shinobigoma 偲び駒 secret votive straw horse .
shinobi no koma 忍び（の）駒 "secret horse"
Hanamaki 花巻

suzu koma 鈴駒 clay bell / Morioka



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. . . . . . . . . . . . Kagoshima

. umanori, uma-nori musha 馬乗り武者 samurai soll on horseback .


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. . . . . Miyagi


kinoshitagoma, kinoshita no koma 木ノ下駒 from Sendai 仙台

- quote -
The Kinoshita-koma wooden horse toy
is a traditional handicraft handed down in Kinoshita in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. Kinoshita-koma, along with Yawata-goma of Aomori Prefecture and Miharu-goma of Fukushima Prefecture, are known as the three best wooden horse toys of Japan.

The origin of the Kinoshita-koma wooden horse toy dates back to the Heian period (794-1192). The Tohoku region has traditionally been a horse-breeding area and horses were indispensable for military affairs and agriculture in the old days. It is said that the provincial governors of this region always dedicated horses to the Imperial court whenever Komahiki (the horse exhibition) was held at the Imperial palace. When a horse was dedicated, a horse-shaped wooden ornament was put on the harness around the neck. Later, people began to make wooden horses modeling after this ornament.

Those wooden horses were sold at the festivals of Mutsu Kokubunji Temple or Hakusan Shrine as the talisman to protect horses and drive away evils. Gradually, they became a popular souvenir item for temple and shrine visitors and farmers began to make them during the agricultural off-season. Their cute figures attracted attention of travelers and they became known all over the country.
- source : nippon-kichi.jp -

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. . . . . Nagano

Kiso koma 木曽駒 Kiso horse
(the real one's were very famous)

The area along the river 木曽川 Kisogawa produced a lot of wood and wooden toys.


from the shrine 五宮神社 Itsumiya Jinja. The real horse walks along the village during the shrine festival. It carries 200 "flowers" from bamboo stripes in five colors.

- quote -
The October Festival at Itsumiya Jinja
This ceremony is carried out to pray for good harvest and safty of family.
Conducted by traditional instrument play of flutes and drums, 3 horses carrying saddle decorated with flowers on their backs walk through the town.
After the parade circle around the shrine 3 times, sightseers run up to horses and scramble for the flowers.
People take the flowers to their home and display them at the entrance of houses or ridges between rice field as the object to drive out evil spirits and insects.
- History
5 colors papers decorate 365 sticks on the horseback imitates ear of rice.
5 colors indicates "clear sky, rich harvest grain, sun, clean water, and fertile soil".
On the saddle of the 1st horse of the parade, Himorogi (on which the god ride on made of sakaki plant and white paper) is fixed.
2nd horse carries chrysanthemum (indicates good harvest), and
3rd horse carries bamboo flag (indicates ear of rice) on their backs.
- source : f-pedia.r-cms.biz -


. Kiso no hana uma 木曽の花馬 Horse and Blossoms from Kiso .
and - - - yomeiri koma, yome-iri koma 嫁入り駒 horse for a bride

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Kirihara no warakoma 桐原のわら駒 straw horse from Kirihara
Dating back to the Nara period.
for the festival at the shrine 桐原牧神社 Kiriharamaki Jinja, March 8.
長野県長野市桐原二丁目26番33号

An amulet to protect from evil influence, have a rich harvest, keep the family happy and have many children.
It is made by the local people, with the little male symbol of the horse sticking out for extra joy.
Nowadays they are made by a group to preserve the straw horse.


ema 絵馬　votive tablet from the shrine



Kirihara used to be a famous and historical pasture area which was owned by the Imperial Court. Many fine horses were offered to the Imperial Court. People offer the Warakoma which is the shape of fine horse with some steamed red beans rice and money. This is offered to the Kiriharamaki Shrine in the festival.
source : japanguides.net/nagano

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. . . . . Nagasaki



kaiun shusse koma 開運出世駒 horse for good luck and career
Hasami village 波佐見町


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. . . . . Niigata


wara uma 藁馬 straw horse


Suibara no kiba 水原の木馬 wooden horse from Suibara


. Yamaguchi no kiba 山口の木馬 wooden horse from Yamaguchi town .


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. . . . . Okinawa 沖縄



uma guu チンチン馬グヮー small horse with rider



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. . . . . Oita

eto kago nori shusse koma 干支かごのり出世駒 horses for a career
in a basket, one for each of the 12 zodiac animals
shinme suzu, shinba suzu 　神馬鈴 clay bell with sacred horse (Beppu)



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. . . . . Saga

Inari koma 稲荷駒 Inari Fox God Horse
Kashima town 鹿島市

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. . . . . Shimane

. kazari uma, kazariuma 飾り馬 decoration horse .
Matsue town

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. . . . . Tochigi

harukoma 　春駒 spring horse



A decorative item for the New Year celebrations.


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. . . . . Tokyo

. akagoma, akai koma 赤駒 red horse .



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. . . . . Toyama



Toga no hatsu-uma 利賀村の初午の藁馬 Toga village straw horse for the

It has a cloth bridle of red-white auspicious colors with a bell attached to it.
On the 15th day of January children come to the local Shinto shrine with these horse heads to join the procession and eventually tear off the bridle. The whole group then walks around the village from home to home.

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. . . . . Wakayama

. Shoojuuji no doba 正住寺土馬 clay horse from temple Shoju-Ji .

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. . . . . Yamanashi

Kaii Kurokoma 甲斐黒駒 black horse from Kaii, black pegasus
from village Oizumi mura 大泉村

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. 黒駒太子 - Prince Shotoku Taishi on his Black Horse .

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gohei koma 御幣駒 horse with gohei 御幣 ritual wand decoration
A straw horse with a ritual want to pray for good health of children. Decorated for the New Year.
Also an amulet for the silk farmers.
About 13 cm high.


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Clay bells with horses (uma 馬)
(the horse is one of the 12 zodiac animals)

. . . CLICK here for Photos !



Regional toys with horses (uma 馬)
kyoodoo gangu 郷土玩具

. . . CLICK here for Photos !


Clay dolls with horses (uma 馬)
土人形

. . . CLICK here for Photos !



"Bamboo Horse"
. Takeuma, chikuba 竹馬 bamboo stilts .



Okayama　岡山　－Kurashiki town　倉敷
. momo nose uma 桃乗せ馬 horse carrying a peach.

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External Link

Many clay horses come with a legend attached to a shrine or warriors of old.

kazari uma 飾り馬 Decorated Clay Horses
uma nori kitsune 馬乗り狐 fox riding a horse
... 馬乗り袴狐 fox in a hakama riding a horse

jinba 神馬 horse of the gods
... Ichinomiya onba 一宮おん馬
... Sumiyoshi jinba 住吉神馬 from Sumiyoshi shrine
... Konpira jinba 金毘羅神馬 from Kompira san
... Hakozaki-guu 筥崎宮神馬鈴 from Hakozakishrine (Fukuoka)
... Nogomi inari koma のごみ稲荷駒 (Saga prefecture)

daimyo uma 大名馬 horse of a daimyo, Nagasaki
naminori uma 波のり馬 horse riding the waves
hyootan koma 瓢箪駒 horse out of a gourd
(there is a proverb: 瓢箪から駒が出る)
Atsumori 敦盛 Lord Atsumori on a horse (Akita)
umanori heitai 馬乗り兵隊 soldier on a horse
... umanori chindai 馬乗り鎮台
umanori kodomo musha 馬乗り子供武者 child samurai on a horse
uma Takasago 午高砂 horses in Takasago pose
umanori kintoki 馬乗り金時 Kintoki on a horse
umanori kitsune 馬乗り狐 inari fox riding a horse
tenka taihei 天下泰平 peace horse

Kumagai and Atsumori 熊谷と敦盛 (famous samurai)
Okehazama 桶狭間 fight at Okehazama

source : kyoudogangu.xii.jp

And more links to horses made from
wood, straw, paper, strings, on ema votive tablets

heads of horses on a stick 首馬 kubiuma, kubi-uma, kubikonma くびこんま
http://kyoudogangu.xii.jp/uma/kubiuma.htm


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ema　絵馬　 votive tablet

Shirakura uma 白黒馬 white and black horse

水神宗社　丹生川上神社
Suijin soosha, shrine Niukwa jinja, Nara

When praying for rain during a drought, a black horse is offered.
When praying to stop the long rain, a white horse is offered.
This custom goes back to the Heian period.







source :　blog.murakudo.com


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quote
Anyone familiar with Shinto will know about the significance of horses. They are thought to be intermediaries between this world and that of the kami. Votive tablets (ema, literally ‘horse pictures’) originated in the practice of offering horses to the kami. Still today one sees horse statues at some shrines, while others have a white horse stabled on the grounds or put on horse events during their annual matsuri.
- snip
If one thinks of Mongol warriors, then clearly the horse was a vehicle of power that enabled its rider to dispense death and destruction over wide areas. It was quite literally a seat of authority. To a lowly peasant, the fast moving creature must have seemed imbued with an air of divine power. It’s but a short step to imagine the horses descending with their godlike riders from heaven. Something of this clearly entered Japan at a time when Shinto was still in the process of formation.

snip
* The Shoku Nihongi (797) mentions that horses were dedicated to shrines in order to stop rain (white horse) or make it rain (black horse). [If I'm not mistaken, such a practice was carried out at Kibune Jinja near Kyoto.]

* In Eastern Japan at Tanabata (July 7) a greeting horse (mukae-uma) is hung from gates and trees to be offered as a mount for the visiting deity. It’s also offered to ancestral spirits at Obon.
MORE - by Dougill John
source : www.greenshinto.com/wp

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- reference -

日本三駒 Aomori, Miyagi and Fukushima
- source : kig0612.exblog.jp -

ki no uma gangu 木の馬玩具 horse toys from wood
- reference source : horse toys -
- reference source : suisui horse collection -
- source : kyoudogangu.xii.jp/uma -

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. Regional Folk Toys from Japan .

. Japan - Shrines and Temples .


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