2026年チャグチャグ馬コ（2026 ChaguChaguHorseFestival）

2026年6月13日、岩手県滝沢市にある蒼前神社にてチャグチャグ馬コが開催されました。 今年は去年から3頭ふえた６６頭の馬が、鬼越蒼前神社から盛岡八幡宮まで14キロの道のりを約5時間かけて行進を行いました。 On June 13, 2026, the Chagu Chagu Umako was held at Sōzen Shrine in Takizawa City, Iwate Prefecture. This year, 66 horses—three more than last year—marched from Onigoe Sōzen Shrine to Morioka Hachimangu Shrine, covering the 14-kilometer route in approximately five hours.On June 13, 2026, the Chagu Chagu Umako was held at Sōzen Shrine in Takizawa City, Iwate Prefecture. This year, 66 horses—three more than last year—marched from Onigoe Sōzen Shrine to Morioka Hachimangu Shrine, covering the 14-kilometer route in approximately five hours. What is Chagu Chagu Umakko? Iwate Prefecture has long been known as a horse-breeding region. In the late 16th century, when horse-plowing techniques were introduced, the unique local houses called Nanbu Magariya (curved houses of the Nanbu region) were born. These houses were designed so that people and horses could live under one roof, reflecting the deep affection for treating horses as family members. From this long-cultivated spirit of love for horses, on Tango no Sekku (May 5), which is associated with horses and serves as the only rest day during the busy farming season, people began visiting shrines dedicated to horse guardian deities, such as Sōzen Shrine and Komagata Shrine. The purpose was to give their beloved horses, tired from farm work, a day of rest and to pray for their health and safety. This practice gradually became established as O-Sōzen Mairi. It is said that during these pilgrimages, the custom of leading horses dressed in konida costumes (traditional festival attire with colorful packs) became popular, giving rise to the prototype of the Chagu Chagu Horse. In 1930, when His Imperial Highness Prince Chichibu, known for his love of horses, visited Iwate Prefecture, he paid his respects at Onigoshi Sōzen Shrine in Takizawa City. Afterward, a horse parade was held in formation at the sacred horse ground of Morioka Hachimangū Shrine, which received great acclaim. As a result, from the following year onward, it became an annual tradition to hold a procession to Morioka Hachimangū Shrine after the shrine visit. Approximately 60 to 100 horses march the 14-kilometer route from Onigoshi Sōzen Shrine to Morioka Hachimangū Shrine over about five hours. This style of festival is almost unprecedented worldwide. In 1978, it was selected by the Agency for Cultural Affairs as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property for which measures such as documentation should be taken. The name “Chagu Chagu Horse” originates from the “chagu chagu” sound produced by the roughly 700 large and small bells attached to the horses’ ornate costumes. In addition, these bell sounds were selected in 1996 by the Environment Agency (at the time) as one of the “100 Soundscapes of Japan to Preserve.”