Chagu Chagu Umakko
チャグチャグ馬コ
チャグチャグ馬コ
It is important to first explain what the Chagu Chagu Umakko event is about. The event was first held in 1930 when Prince Chichibu, member of the Imperial House, visited the prefecture. He loved of horses. A parade was organised to showcase horses at the Morioka Hachimangu Shrine. As this had positive reception, it became a tradition. Although the parade started from1930, horses were already well considered since the Nara period in Iwate. Because of this there already was a practice of praying for their good health at local shrines. The parade itself has 100 horses and starts from Onikoshi Sozen Shrine and walks to Morioka Hachimangu. The horses are adorned with bells and other colorful decorations. The bells themselves create the “chagu chagu” sound of which the parade/festival is named after. The name is onomatopoeic in origin.
Naturally, artisanal wooden figures would follow suit. Between 1930-1947 they were being made and sold as souvenirs. The largest production was made between 1965 and 1975. In recent times they have become more popular as more people take part in hands-on crafting and as a learning activity. Today, these toys are also used in school education in Iwate to teach local history and heritage. In many homes, the toy is displayed as a good luck charm for health, safety, and prosperity.
Paulownia (桐) is used for the main body parts of the horse. Carving is done through a block-assembly method (key-in slots).
The assembled horse is hand-painted, then dressed with miniature cloth, tassels, bells—mimicking parade dress .
They are often made by local artisans, especially in Morioka and nearby craft workshops. Their production is only done during the month of the Chagu Chagu Umakko, before the event takes place on the second Saturday of June.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prciknPeUBk
How wooden toys and chagu chagu horses are made. Video in Japanese.
Morioka Handicraft village Website is in English and Japanese.
Morioka Handcraft village
You can participate and experience the making of a variety of items, including the Chagu Chagu Ummako Horse.
Address: Oirino-64-102 Tsunagi, Morioka, Iwate 020-0055
TEL: +81-019-689-2201
FAX: +81-019-689-2212
Opening Hours: 8:40 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed: Regarding holidays, you will have to contact the specific workshop that works on the wooden horses. There are different workshops for each item.
If you cannot attend the workshop you have the option of buying a wooden horse from the Kaneiri Standard Store which is inside the main Morioka station on the first floor, located in the FES”AN section of the building
Kaneiri Standard Store
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Address: Morioka Fezan 1F, 1−44 Moriokaekimaedori, Morioka, Iwate 020-0034
Prices 07/2025
Big size: 1900 YEN
Small size: 980 YEN
Prices 07/2025
Big size:
1900 YEN
Small size:
980 YEN
All Photos Were Taken On Site By Author