Chagu Chagu Umakko

Historical background

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.