Ancestral Breeds and Breeds' History
Although there is still some controversy over the subject, it is
generally
believed that horses did not exist in Japan during the Paleolithic, Mesolithic or
Neolithic periods (Stone Age, Jomon and early YaYoi eras). It is also believed that all
Japanese native horses are descended from animals brought from the mainland of Asia at
various times and by various routes. Domestic horses were definitely present in Japan as
early as the 6th century and perhaps as early as the 4th century.
Since that time the horse has played an important role in
Japanese culture.
Horses were widely used in warfare until the introduction of firearms in the late 16th
century and horsemanship was one of the skills prized by the warriors who founded the
Samurai class. Horses had an important symbolic role in Japanese religion and even today
at certain shrines a sacred white horse is stabled. Oddly enough horses were not widely
used in agriculture until the Meiji Era, oxen being preferred in most areas for working
fields and rice paddies. Oxen also provided traction power, pulling wagons and carts.
Horses, on the other hand, were widely used as pack animals to carry goods on the highways
and for use in steep mountainous regions. People of the upper classes also rode them.
Throughout the centuries since they were introduced, various breeds of horses developed
in Japan each adapting to the local environment. These horses were in general relatively
small. As a result, various rulers and powerful leaders attempted to
increase their
size and strength by selective breeding and by importing foreign horses. Records from the
Edo period indicating the importation of horses by the Dutch to be given as gifts to the
Shogun. Although we cannot be sure, these animals, generally referred to as
"Persian," may have been Arabians or perhaps a variety of Turkmen. Several
improved breeds became popular in Japan including the Nambu, Miharu and Tosa breeds all of
which have become almost extinct. During the early years of the Showa Era (1932)
systematic breeding based on local Japanese bloodlines resulted in the creation of the
Kushiro breed which has apparently totally disappeared.
Especially during the Meiji Era larger purebred horses from Europe and North America
were imported to increase the size of Japanese horse and make them more suitable for
military use. To encourage this the government introduced training classes throughout
Japan to increase the use of horses in agriculture. The goal was to motivate farmers to
breed larger horses to ensure a supply for the army. Foreign breeds imported included
Thoroughbred, Anglo Arabs, Arabs, Hackney
and several draft breeds including Belgian and
Bretons. Two recognized breeds, Kandachi horse of Aomori and the Yururi Island horse of
Nemuro, Hokkaido, are the descendants of native horses crossbred with larger European
horses. The result of these many importations was the almost total disappearance of local
Japanese breeds except in very remote areas or on islands. In Japan today there are eight
recognized native breeds all of them identified with a particular region and each
displaying some differences in color size and conformation.
Breed Characteristics
Japanese native breeds share a number of characteristics: they are all technically
ponies inasmuch as all of them stand under 14.2 hands (147 cm). Their heads are relatively
large, the neck is carried horizontally, their manes are thick and flowing. In general,
when viewed from the rear the croup is rather
wide at the top, narrowing toward the legs. (This
is felt to resemble an old style hat woven from grasses and is called, amigasa jiri.)
The most common colors are bay, brown, chestnut, roan and cremello. They do not, in
general, have white markings on legs or face but a black dorsal stripe is extremely
common. All of these local breeds are known for their endurance, their ability to survive
on poor food and in severe weather conditions and they all share the characteristics of
having extremely tough hooves.
Japanese Native
Breeds
Misaki Horse
This breed has it origins in Miyazaki Prefecture. The modern
herd of 88 animals
now ranges on the cape of Toi. They average 12.2 to 13 hands (130 135 cm) in
height. They first appear in history in 1697 when the Akizuki family of the Takanabe Clan
took animals then grazing wild under its protection and created a stud farm. The system
was based on giving the breeding stock full freedom and rounding them up once a year
presumably to select horses for training and to check on health as well as perhaps
castrate males thought unfit for breeding. The same system is used today; once a year
animals are corralled at which time inoculations are given and the animals sprayed or
dipped to eliminate insect pests. This breed has been designated a National Natural
Treasure and the herd has become the focus of tourism.
Tokara Horse
These horses which are today found in several natural parks in
Kagoshima
Prefecture are the descendents of two dozen native horses brought to Kyushu from Kikai
Shima about 1890. The breed was bred on Tokara Island and at one time was quite numerous
throughout the Kagoshima region. However, the numbers decreased drastically during World
War II and the breed was preserved only by strenuous efforts. The resulting horses have,
under more care and selective breeding, become larger than the original which stood some
times only 11 hands (115 cm) at the withers. In an attempt to preserve the breed in a near
original form a number of animals have been taken to Nakanoshima in the Tokara island
where they range freely during the year and are rounded up for pest extermination,
inoculation and veterinary treatment once a year. The breed has been designated a
Prefectural Natural Treasure. The are today 116 head of the Tokara breed.
Miyako Horse
Miyako jima has been long noted for horse breeding and the
Miyako breed goes
to at least the 13th century. Until 1960, when a motor road was constructed the
Miyako horse was the major form of transportation on the island. In 1907, a number of
larger horses of European and American origin were introduced and the average size of the
breed increased to as much as 13.3 hands (140 cm). The original breed seldom grew taller
than 11 hands (115 cm) and in modern times efforts are being made to restore the breed to
its original form. The herd of 21 has become a tourist attraction and is often used for
instructional purposes in the local high school. This breed also has been designated as a
Prefectural Natural Treasure.
Hokkaido Washu
Also known as Dosanko, this breed is descended from several
local breeds
imported from Tohoku in the 15th century when Japanese immigration to Hokkaido
began. Today there are about 2,928 Hokkaido horses. Most of them are allowed to roam
freely in large grazing areas during most of the year, being rounded up for pest control
and treatment once a year. Others are being raised on farms under more controlled
conditions. This breed is somewhat larger than many Japanese local breeds, standing from
12.2 to 13 hands (130 135 cm) at the withers. They are extremely hardy and strong
and can survive and even thrive under very servere conditions. Today they are used for
trail riding, packing and harness. Many Hokkaido Washu are natural pacers.
Noma Horse
The smallest of Japanese local breeds is the Noma horse,
native to the Noma
region of Imabari in Ehime Prefecture. It stands only 10.3 hands (110 cm). It is said that
in the 17th century Lord Hisamatsu of Matsuyama Han charged local farmers with
the breeding of horses. The smallest of these, the ancestors of the present breed, were
particularly useful as packhorses on steep mountainsides and on remote islands. There are
today 47 Noma horses being kept by several stud farms in the region. They are used as
riding horses for children and as subjects of study in local schools.
Kiso Horse
There are records of horses being raised systematically in the
Kiso region of
Nagano Prefecture as early as the 6th century. The region was able to produce,
according to legends, 10,000 cavalry mounts for Kiso Yoshinakas army. The Kiso horse
is medium sized, standing about 13 hands (135 cm). During the Meiji Era, Kiso horses were
crossbred with many western breeds and the pure stain virtually disappeared. The breed is
being preserved in the region centering on Kaida mura in Kiso County, Nagano Prefecture.
There are today 117 Kiso horses, which are often seen in processions in local festivals.
They are also used as riding horses.
Taishu Horse
This breed developed in the steep and hilly country of Tsushima
in Nagasaki
Prefecture where horse breeding was known as early as the 8th century. This
medium-sized horse which stands about 12 hands (125 cm) was particularly useful as a
packhorse in rough country and was also used for timber haulage. It is said to be a calm
and easily handled horse. A picture of the Taishu Horse being ridden by a farm woman often
symbolizes its calm disposition. The remaining 79 Taishu horses have become an object of
interest for tourists.
Yonaguni Horse
This native breed was developed in Okinawa on the island of
Yonaguni. The breed is small, standing about 11 hands (115 cm). Two small herds
of about 108 horses remain on the island ranging free and are rounded up once a year for
inspection, removal of pests and inoculation. It is interesting that the people of this
island developed a special type of bridle called omogui, which required only a
single rein for control. Today the horses are used for instructional purposes in local
schools and for recreational riding.
Breed Organizations