Japanese Kokeshi Zodiac Horse Wooden Doll Vintage Figurine

Hand Painted Carved With Bell

Kokeshi are Japanese dolls, originally from northern Japan.

They are handmade from wood, have a simple trunk and an enlarged head with a few thin, painted lines to define the face. One characteristic of Kokeshi dolls is their lack of arms or legs.

The Yawata-uma horse figurine is a traditional local toy with a history of over 700 years. It is said that the wooden horses were originally made by farmers in the off-season to be sold as souvenirs of the Kushihiki Hachiman-gu Shrine annual festival, and became known as “Yawata-uma”.

(“Yawata” is another reading of “Hachiman”.) The gorgeous patterns painted on the wooden horses reflected the way real horses were traditionally adorned for rural weddings in the region.

The Yawata-uma is one of Japan’s “migoma” or three wooden horses, and as they bring good luck, they are often given as mementos of celebrations such as weddings and new buildings.

Description :

Vintage Japanese Kokeshi Zodiac Horse Wooden Doll

Made in Japan Traditional Doll

Size of Horse : L 5” x H 6” x W 1”

Made from Wooden Carving Mix material : Body of Wilde Horse is Wood , Cloth is Silk & Fabric

Color: Blue, Black, lilac, multicolor

Style: Vintage Loft Primitive Folk Art

Good Condition. Wear and tear due to age. Please see photos carefully.