Chagu Chagu Umako [Morioka City, Iwate]
A vibrant horse figurine symbolizing the deep bond between people and horses
Thishorsefigurineisinspiredbythebeautifullyadornedhorsesofthe"ChaguChaguUmakko"festival,wherehorsesparadefromOnikoshiSozenShrineinTakizawaCitytoMoriokaHachimanguShrineinMoriokaCityeveryJuneThe"ChaguChaguUmakko"festivaloriginatedintheNambudomain,aregionknownforitsfinehorses,asawaytoshowgratitudefortheirhardworkandprayfortheirhealthandsafetyThesightofelegantlydecoratedfarmhorsesadornedwithover700bells,marchingformorethanfourhourshasbecomeabelovedearlysummertradition,andtoysimitatingthisscenehavebeenmadeaslocalfolktoysThesewoodenhorsetoys,paintedinblack,white,red,andothervibrantcolors,areadornedwithlifelike,vividcoloreddecorationsSuchpiecesarerarenationwideandcraftedwithdeepaffectionforthelocalcultureThesetoysarealsovaluedasgoodluckcharmsandgifts,prayedtobringhealthandsafety