Yawata Uma

八幡馬

"As if a horse runs across the grassland, Yawata Uma brings people happiness."

-Towa OTA

Historical Background

Characteristics

To know more!

Information

Direct Voice from Towa OTA

References

Historical Background

Yawata Uma is the traditional local craft made in mainly Hachinohe city in Aomori Prefecture. In 1997, Yawata Uma was officially designated as a Traditional Craft of Aomori Prefecture.

It is said that Yawata Uma was created to pray for the healthy growth of beloved horses, “Nanbu Uma”, which inhabited the area. After the Meiji period, as society changed, the form and meaning of these wooden horses also evolved. Today, it is cherished as a folk craft filled with love and wishes for the happiness of children and families. Moreover, it is familiar with Hachinohe’s lucky horses and popular for souvenirs and celebration gifts.

Characteristics

Local farmers began to make Yawata Uma as a side job during the off-season.

It was roughly carved from pine wood using an axe, then painted mainly in black, red, or white, decorated with chiyogami, colored paper, and marked with dotted patterns to represent stirrups, reins, and bells. These patterns were said to be based on the fancy decorations that horses used to wear in koshiire, a traditional bride’s wedding parade.

In addition, other variations were also made. Among these, the most iconic type features a parent horse and a foal placed on a wheeled cart, which boys could pull along with a string. This child and parent horse set is also why they are called uma, horses, rather than koma, toy horses.

To know more!

*These are videos I only could find.

【Japanese Only】How to make Yawata Uma

【Japanese Only】

Vlog of a workshop making Yawata Uma

Information

Where : Hachinohe City in Aomori

Tourism, Events information/Hachinohe-shi (English)

観光・イベント情報／八戸市（日本語）

Direct Voice from Towa OTA

"It was my first time to know about Yawata Uma. In Japan, there is a custom to carry omamori, a charm for good luck, though I felt Yawata Uma could also be a lucky item to have a horse bring you happiness. It is meaningful to spread the delicate beauty of Japanese artcrafts, so I hope that the warmth of handmade Japanese local artcrafts and Yawata Uma will continue to be passed down for future generations."

References

青森県の伝統工芸品（八幡馬）. 青森県庁ホームページ. (n.d.). https://www.pref.aomori.lg.jp/soshiki/sangyo/chikikigyo/aomori_dento-kogei_yawatauma.html

Home. 八戸の郷土玩具｜八幡馬・やわたうま. (2023, July 27). https://www.yawatauma.co.jp/

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