Japanese Child's Charm: "Miharu-goma"
Collection: Everyday Connections
Object Category: Charms and Talismans
Object Type: Charms
Country: Japan
Continent: Asia
Geographic Region: Eastern Asia
width: 5 in;
height: 6.5 in;
depth: 2 in
Miharu-goma are horse-shaped folk toys. They owe their origins to a wooden horse which saved the ancient military leader Sakanoue Tamuramaro when he was in a tough battle during his expedition to the east. The toys havelong been loved by local people as "Kosodate-goma" (child caretaking wooden horses). They are one of the three best horse toys in Japan, along with Yahata-goma from Hachinohe and Kinoshita-goma from Sendai. Miharu-goma feature stout bodies. According to the ancient legend, General Tamuramaro was sent to Tohoku to subdue the area in 794 AD. Having engaged in a great battle against the native tribes, the general
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