Saddle and harness
Japanese, 1812 and later
Lacquered and partly gilt hardwood, iron, iron inlaid with silver,
painted and gilt leather, dyed hemp string, gilt paper strip, basketry,
wool, linen, silk, 114cm x 87cm
Accession Number 8416-8423
This sort of harness was for ceremonial use rather than for battle.
An inscription on the underside of the lacquered wood saddle records that
it was made for a man called Fukugimi by Bangiko Morifumi (from Ingebouri
Prefecture, of Ise Province). It was later restored by Sadafumi. A separate
inscription gives the date 1812, probably referring to the initial date
of manufacture rather than the restoration.
The large leather ‘mud-guards’ at either side of the saddle served also to protect the horse from chafing by the iron stirrups. These are inlaid with silver and of a distinctive Japanese form.
The rest of the harness includes the wool bridle and iron bit, with two decorative tassels, a long wool strip and a wool crupper. This was secured to the saddle at either side and looped over the horse’s tail to prevent the saddle sliding forward. The crupper would have been largely concealed by the ‘crupper-cover’ which was placed behind the saddle.
The waisted gilt leather strap is a secondary, largely decorative, rein
to drape over the horse’s neck in front of the saddle. The functional
reins are missing.
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