Abumi; Stirrups. These stirrups are made of metal and coated with urushi, they are quite heavy.The way they are made they provide the rider with a platform to stand on. They are also decorated with a Gunbai (war fan).
Kura; Saddle. This saddle set with its matching stirrups above came from the Nagano Prefecture and dates back to the Edo (Kanei) period. The saddle has the Mizuno clan Omodaka flower kamon (crest), with weeping willows. This plant image became very popular and was also reffered to as Shogunso or Victory Plant.
As you can see from the makie, the front of the kura (above) receives more wear than the rear (below)
Kutsuwa: Horse Bit. A Japanese horse bit, what else can I say?
Jingasa (Bajo-jingasa): Horse riding military hat. With a more head shapped bowl and small brim this jingasa was more ideal for horseback. This jingasa has the Takaha (hawk feather) Kamon used by the Asano Clan. To view other Jingasa vist our Antiques 1 and Antiques Yoroi pages.
