#250 A Lucky Charm for the Year of the Horse — Wishing Things Go Well
| 作品サイズ： | 約30×40 cm |
|---|---|
| 仕立て： | 額装 |
What is “Hidari-Uma”?
Hidari-uma (literally “left horse”) is the character for “horse” written in a left-facing, mirror-reversed form. In Japanese tradition, this design is regarded as a lucky symbol.
In Japan, the hidari-uma has long been appreciated not just as a stylized character, but as a symbol of good fortune rooted in cultural imagination. In addition to the explanation above, this character is believed to carry other positive meanings:
- A horse invites people in
In everyday life, people lead horses by the bridle. But when the horse faces left in hidari-uma, it appears almost as if the horse itself is drawing people toward it — a metaphor for inviting good things in. This is why hidari-uma is associated with welcoming prosperity and many visitors. - The horse character’s bottom resembles a purse
The lower part of the character looks like a drawstring purse, and this resemblance has been connected to the idea of money staying inside rather than flowing out — a metaphor for accumulating wealth.
Because of these playful yet meaningful associations — through wordplay, shape, and imaginative interpretation — hidari-uma has come to be seen as a character with many layered auspicious meanings.
About This Work
I wrote hidari-uma with the heartfelt wish that
everything flows smoothly, what is needed returns to where it is needed,
and people’s thoughts and daily work gently and joyfully “dance.”
This may be a kind of good-luck charm, but at its core lies a prayer for the world to run a little more smoothly and for daily life between people to continue peacefully.