"Chagu Chagu Umako", a parade of well-dressed "Umako" in Morioka city

In Iwate Prefecture, which is also known for its horse production, there are traditional events to thank agricultural horses and pray for good health and a rich harvest. "Chagu Chagu Umako" is held on the second Saturday of June every year. It has been selected as an ''intangible folk cultural property that requires measures to be taken such as recording,'' and this year it will be held on June 10th (Saturday). Walking around town while watching the horse parade is also fun.

"Chagu Chagu Umako" began over 200 years ago. In Iwate, people and horses lived under the same roof, and the spirit of love for horses took root there. From then on, the ''Aozen Shrine'', which is the guardian deity of horses, and the ''Aozen Shrine'' to pray for the horses' health became widespread, and it is said that it became very popular to visit the shrine decked out in ornate horse gear. The name "Chagu Chagu" comes from the sound of a bell attached to the costume. Its tones have been selected as one of Japan's 100 best soundscapes.

On the day of the event, about 60 horses wearing brightly colored costumes slowly marched over 14km over a period of about 4 hours from Onikoshi Sozen Shrine in Takizawa City, which is adjacent to Morioka City, to Morioka Hachimangu Shrine. Along the way, in front of Aoyama-machi Fureai Okibaba Plaza and Zaimokumachi Shopping Street are resting places for the horses, where you can see them up close, and at Onikoshi Sozen Shrine, Big Roof Takizawa, and Nakatsugawa, they are popular spots where you can interact with the moored horses and spectators. The handlers and the women and children riding on the backs of the horses are also dressed in traditional costumes, and the cityscape looks different than usual during the procession.