Accompanied by kindergarteners, Taishuu Horses once again carry goods along Nagasaki’s steep roads.

Translated from the original article at: http://nagasaki.keizai.biz/headline/424/

March 13, 2012

On the narrow roads of Irabayashi City, Satoko the Taishuu Horse carries a load with all her might. (Photo provided by Yukihide Takahashi)

On March 10, along a stretch of the Irabayashi area of Kawasaki, an event was held which saw the reemergence of the Taishuu horse performing labor. The event was planned by illustrator Ejima Tatsuya and the Kawasaki Taishuu Horse Aid Group.

The Kawasaki Taishuu Horse Aid Group smiles as they arrive in front of the statue of Sakamoto Ryōma at Kaze Gashira Park. (Photo provided by Yukihide Takahashi)

From the course’s departing point at the first Torri Gate of Wakamiya Inari Temple, the horse and it’s group passed by the temple and the Kamayamashachuu Memorial Museum before arriving at the sloped roads of the Sakamoto Ryōma statue. Continuing through narrow hills  and stairs, Satoko (a breed of Taishuu Horse) carried 200 picture books which weighed in at 35 kilograms (77 pounds) to a cafe in Oomura City.

"Keep going!" yelled voices of support along the road. Satoko's mane shook as she climbed the steep stairway one foot at a time. Residents of Irabayashi could be heard saying "I’m happy to see this again." Non-suspecting tourists appeared surprised by the sudden appearance of the horse, it being said that people from outside of the prefecture doing sightseeing requested pictures. Inside the ground of the Wakamiya Inari temple, children of the Wakamiya Nursery School on an exchange program touched the horse as they mounted it.

The practice of using horses to transport items has been retired since 2009. The sight of them traveling Nagasaki's hills then disappeared. In the past, horses travelling the hills of Nagasaki were a usual part of the scenery, with people spending their days in charge of horses transporting nearly 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of building materials. For Satoko, this was her first experience. During the training before hand, it was said she appeared scared trying to traverse the steep roads.

"It was common for us to view such scenery. We relied on the horses' work and involvement in the area. Enduring the time when we couldn't see them was painful. Although Satoko appeared scared and uneasy during training, today, we're deeply touched to see her navigating the tight slopes beyond our expectations. Maybe the news of Satoko's perseverance could also spread to the people of North-East Japan." said Ejima. "After this, we're scheduled to revise and continue this event. While we’re considering horses traveling the hills of Nagasaki in the future, we're concerned about the decreasing numbers of Taishuu horses and want to get involved if the chance presents itself.

Original text:

長崎の坂道で対州馬の荷運びを再現－園児たちとの交流も

（2012年03月13日)

伊良林の狭い道を懸命に歩く対州馬の里子（写真提供＝高橋幸秀さん）

長崎の伊良林地区一帯で3月10日、対州馬（たいしゅうば）で荷物を運ぶ姿を再現するイベントが行われた。長崎のイラストレーター江島達也さんら「長崎対州馬応援団」が企画した。

【画像】風頭公園の龍馬之像前に笑顔で到着した「長崎対州馬応援団」（写真提供＝高橋幸秀さん）

コースは若宮稲荷神社の第1鳥居付近を出発し、途中若宮稲荷神社、亀山社中記念館前を通り風頭公園の龍馬之像までの坂道。細い坂や階段が続く道を、大村市のカフェで飼育されている対州馬の里子（さとこ）が約35キロの絵本200冊を背負って歩いた。

「頑張れ」という沿道の声援に応えるように急な階段をたてがみを揺らしながら一歩一歩駆け上がる里子に、伊良林の住人からは「懐かしい」という言葉も聞かれた。居合わせた観光客は、突然表れた馬に驚いた表情を見せた。県外から見学や撮影に訪れた人もいたという。若宮稲荷神社の境内では、若宮保育園の園児たちとの交流もあり里子の体に触れたり背にまたがるなどした。

2009年に荷運びをする馬方が引退して以来、長崎の坂から馬の姿が消えた。かつて100キロ近い建築資材などを担いで長崎の坂道を馬が歩く風景は、長崎で暮らす人にとって当たり前の光景だったが、里子にとっては初めての経験。事前練習したときは坂道を怖がるそぶりを見せたという。

「私たちが当たり前のように見ていた光景は、馬方と馬が信頼関係を結び、忍耐を持って働いていた姿だったことを痛感した。練習で怖がる里子の姿に不安があったが、当日、期待以上に張り切って坂道を歩く里子に感動した。里子が頑張る姿が東北の人にもニュースなどで伝われば」と江島さん。「今後も場所を変えてイベントを継続する予定。馬の姿を通して坂の町長崎の将来を考えたり、頭数が減る対州馬へ関心を向ける機会になれば」と話す。