Glossary of samurai horse related items.

[estcrh]

As anyone who has tried finding the correct name for a Japanese or samurai item knows it can be hard to pin down the correct term, sometimes you can find several terms being used simultaneously. I found this site with most of the important horse related items pictured with names for the items, I do not know how accurate these names are and if anyone can comment on the accuracy of any of the items pictured please do.

 

http://bukeyashiki1192.com/cn001/cn003/pg03.html

 

[IanB]

Eric, By sheer coincidence I have, over the last few weeks, 'put to bed' an essay / article on horses and their equipment for the catalogue of an important exhibition due to take place soon. Since I had never seen any details, or the naming of parts of harnesses and saddles in English, I had to set to find out what they were and translate them. By chance, I ended up with a similar drawing to the one on this site as well as one showing the parts of a saddle. On the whole the terminology I discovered agrees, although there are a couple of minor differences.

Ian Bottomley

[estcrh]

Eric, By sheer coincidence I have, over the last few weeks, 'put to bed' an essay / article on horses and their equipment for the catalogue of an important exhibition due to take place soon. Since I had never seen any details, or the naming of parts of harnesses and saddles in English, I had to set to find out what they were and translate them. By chance, I ended up with a similar drawing to the one on this site as well as one showing the parts of a saddle. On the whole the terminology I discovered agrees, although there are a couple of minor differences.

Ian Bottomley

Ian, sounds like a good exhibition, will it just for samurai items? I have been searching for some of these terms for quite a while. One item which I have found more than one tern for is the double leather pads right under the saddle which are called ''hadazuke'' on this chart but are called ''shita-kura'' else were. Feel free to post your own glossary, I think I would trust it more

[IanB]

Eric, I cannot do that at the moment since the organisers of the exhibition have paid me for the work and until it is published it would seem wrong. I suspect that there were different names for various parts in different areas of Japan and at different times. I have a complete harness and noted those pads are impressed with a large maker's stamp in the leather of the lower one that is covered when they are together. This suggests to me that there was a specialist maker of such parts. Presumably they finished the outer layer of leather to the design of the saddle and other elements. Have you noticed how the dates on saddles always seem to be around Genroku or just before?

Ian B

[estcrh]

Eric, I cannot do that at the moment since the organisers of the exhibition have paid me for the work and until it is published it would seem wrong.

I can wait, how long is the statute of limitations? I have seen several with dates that seem quite old, I have one that is signed and dated with a date that is supposed to make it several hundred years old.

 

Here is a saddle with an interesting theme.

 

[Bugyotsuji]

50% of those terms are familiar but several are new to me.

 

I can guess that the word "Atsuhusa"... bottom left, actually sounds better in English ending in -fusa (not husa) ie "Atsufusa".

 

PS The four specialized triangular rings used to tie down the saddle at the four corners are called "Shiode" (or Shiho-de), literally 'four-direction hands'.

 

PPS Just noticed you can see two of them in the photo above this post.

[estcrh]

PS The four specialized triangular rings used to tie down the saddle at the four corners are called "Shiode" (or Shiho-de), literally 'four-direction hands'.

 

Thanks Piers, I have looked all over and could not find that term, I also need to find a set for a kura of mine.

 

Here are a pair of aori I just purchased, rather plain but very thick, they look like that are made from elephant leather.

 

[Justin Grant]

Here are some links to some more Aori at the "Samurai Gallery"

 

http://www.samurai-gallary.com/z706.htm

 

http://www.samurai-gallary.com/z707.htm

 

A saddle cover

 

http://www.samurai-gallary.com/z704.htm

[IanB]

Piers, Eric, I had shio de (shiho de?) as well for the rings. These in fact are just about the most important parts since much of the rest of the harness is fastened to them. With my set the rings, or rather U shaped tubes, are gold lacquered with ornate silvered ends. But also in the box are four roundels, about 4" across, embossed on the front with the shippo design and fitted to cords. They seem to have been gilded at one time but are now more or less plain copper. These may be alternates for the U shaped ones or maybe were tied on as extras to allow more harness elements to be added. I say this because my set includes a bum-cover that ties to the regular harness and to the saddle. It is very thickly padded and would have given the horse the most outrageous shape. I did find a name for those as well but off hand it escapes me.

Ian

[Bugyotsuji]

Ian, Shiode 四緒手(four strings handle) or 四方手Shihou-de (four directions handle) seem to be two variant ways of describing these ties, using different kanji (perhaps ate-ji).

[kusunokimasahige]

Thank you Eric for that great picture of all the horse attire, i have been looking all over for that !

 

Great saddle !!!

 

The only downside to horse attire is that it is so terribly expensive, also for re-enactment...

The Abumi alone are hundreds of dollars...

 

KM

[estcrh]

The only downside to horse attire is that it is so terribly expensive, also for re-enactment...

The Abumi alone are hundreds of dollars...

 

KM

Henk, your right about the expense, thats why it has taken me so long to piece together most of the individual parts of a full ensemble, although there are some pieces I might never find.

 

Here is another necessary part, which I have found being called a "muchi".

 

 

 

[IanB]

All, I will, over the next few days get off my backside and photograph all of the parts of my harness since I think it is complete. It came in two large storage boxes, originally I was told from Kyushu. It not only has the harness as such, but a separate halter and two of the great hemp ropes that were used to tie the poor animals to a beam above their stalls to stop them lying down. These latter perplexed me for quite a while, primarily because they are very thick, of green dyed hemp with tassels at each end. They were obviously not leading ropes, being more appropriate for mooring something like the Titanic. The solution came when I saw them in use on a screen showing a stable of famous horses.

Ian Bottomley

[estcrh]

I still have a box of woven trim pieces that I have never taken out and photographed. I see these decorative knots on the visual glossary but no name for them, these came with the box of trim pieces.

 

[Justin Grant]

Eric- et al.

Would they simply not be called Agamaki like on armor? Simply used as "tether" spots?

 

However, I am traversing into an area I know nothing about, except for the poor horse I own (kids horse) that never gets the attention she wants.

[estcrh]

Eric- et al.

Would they simply not be called Agamaki like on armor?

Justin, even if they appeared to be the same I think there would be a word of front signifying its use as horse tack. They are quite large from what I remember, I will have to find them again.

 

Justin, the items you pictured from samurai-gallary are really nice, the item that they call a "saddle cover" also is described as being a "Shabrack" which I believe is an European name for a saddle pad, but im not sure that either term is correct, while I do not know its name I believe it is a decorative cover worn just behind the saddle, maybe someone will know for sure. The saddle pad is called a "Kiritsuke" in the glossary.

 

?????

 

 

Kiritsuke (saddle pad)

[myochin]

Hello,

 

I found the following glossary in:

 

Nihon no Kura 日本の鞍

馬事文化財団 (1979)

 

 

Ian, could you please tell us when and where this exhibition that you are currently working will take place.

 

Many thanks.

Paul.

[estcrh]

Hello,

 

I found the following glossary in:

 

Nihon no Kura 日本の鞍

馬事文化財団 (1979)

Paul, thats a great picture, anyone want to translate?

 

Here is a great looking saddle with harness tack from the liverpool museum.

 

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/lady ... arness.asp

 

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.

 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Nice find.

 

The glossary is similar to the English one posted earlier.

 

Is there any ONE word (max two) that you need translating, Eric? :D

 

Much looking forward to seeing what Ian hauls out of hs boxes...

[IanB]

All, I have looked up my translation of the 'crupper cover' and it is called BAKIN. These seem to be very much an Edo period thing. Some, like the net-and-fringe example illustrated above seem to have replaced the shirigai, whilst others were fabric covers, often with kamon that were worn on top of a regular shirigai. There was also a bag that covered the tail and kept it clean called an o fukuro. What appears to be an under-cloth for the saddle above can't be. Firstly it is leather and secondly the kamon would be covered by the saddle. I think this is a rain cover to go over a pack saddle with its load. All of this kind of decorative harness seems to have been made for the daimyo gyoretsu. I will now go upstairs and disgorge my harness and take some pictures. Watch this space.

Ian

[estcrh]

Nice find.

 

The glossary is similar to the English one posted earlier.

 

Is there any ONE word (max two) that you need translating, Eric? :D

 

Much looking forward to seeing what Ian hauls out of hs boxes...

Piers, I am looking forward to hearing about Ian's exhibit, the glossary in Japanese has some parts listed that the one in English does not, did you notice the tail bag? Even if you saw one for sale would you recognize it? I would like to find the name for the hind quarter cover, the one with the frills right behind the saddle, it covers the crupper up. I have been looking for that name for awhile.

 

 

[estcrh]

All, I have looked up my translation of the 'crupper cover' and it is called BAKIN. These seem to be very much an Edo period thing. Some, like the net-and-fringe example illustrated above seem to have replaced the shirigai, whilst others were fabric covers, often with kamon that were worn on top of a regular shirigai. There was also a bag that covered the tail and kept it clean called an o fukuro. What appears to be an under-cloth for the saddle above can't be. Firstly it is leather and secondly the kamon would be covered by the saddle. I think this is a rain cover to go over a pack saddle with its load. All of this kind of decorative harness seems to have been made for the daimyo gyoretsu. I will now go upstairs and disgorge my harness and take some pictures. Watch this space.

Ian

Ian, you beat me to it!!!

[IanB]

All, Here we go. This is going to take quite a few posts and I hope Brian will forgive me. I will start off with the regular harness parts:

The breast strap - the MUNAGAI - there are two types. Those with a tassel at each end is used with a shorter strap with a loop at each end that goes through the saddle rings. These are called Edo period type. This one is the military type with a loop on one strap and a tassel on the other.

The crupper strap - the SHIRIGAI with a tassel at each end. These tie to the rear saddle rings and are then crossed over to the other side where they hang down.

The bridle - OMOGAI. This ties to big leather loops fastened to the bit.

[IanB]

This harness has an alternate bridle attached to the bit that is made from metallic gold rope. Also here is the san shaku gawa, which is clearly from another harness since the kamon are different, and a halter made of hard twisted silk with a braided brow-band. The 'button' which fastens this halter is in fact a coin. Finally in this batch are two tassels of yak hair that hang on the arms of the bit.

[IanB]

Now the saddle which is all gold lacquered. What looks like a silver rim is in fact silver lacquer which has not tarnished. It has a cute little stand that folds up by removing the two stretchers underneath. Then there are the stirrups of iron with flush inlay of brass and some silver overlay.

[IanB]

Here are what I think are more decorative saddle-rings, and the aori. The BAKIN is of rasha embroidered in gold and coloured threads. the shishi have glass eyes and rather seductive eyelashes in blue. Also here is a rein of printed cotton and one of the two stable-ropes which I measured and are about 25' long. I haven't bothered with the riding whip but it is baleen bound with rattan in yellow.

So folks there you have it.

Ian

[estcrh]

Ian, thanks for taking the time to drag your horse equipment out, horses were such an important part of samurai life and yet there is very little information available on the equipment. Its especially hard to find pictures of the harness equipment assembled. Have you ever thought about setting it all up on a model horse, now that would be interesting.

[estcrh]

What appears to be an under-cloth for the saddle above can't be. Firstly it is leather and secondly the kamon would be covered by the saddle. I think this is a rain cover to go over a pack saddle with its load. .

What about this, its cloth and the kamon are in the corners and less likely to be covered up, or would this just be a horse cover for when there is no saddle on the horse.

[kusunokimasahige]

Beautiful horse equipment Ian and Eric !!

 

Quick inbetween question... Did the Samurai use any form of cushioning on the wood of their saddles ?

 

The only experience with ancient saddles i have so far is a Roman type saddle:

 

 

But seeing Japanese saddles i keep thinking about them being uncomfortable

 

KM

[Bugyotsuji]

Very interesting material indeed. Some lovely bits.

I keep wondering if Ian could find a horse that might be willing to allow that to be placed upon its back.

Henk-Jan's question has also got me curious...