# Haniwa horse from Kamichūjō

The haniwa horse (埴輪馬) from Kamichūjō (上中条) is a horse-shaped haniwa from the area of that name in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Now at Tokyo National Museum, it is of particular significance for its detailed rendering of contemporary horse trappings, and has been designated an Important Cultural Property.

## Context

Although horses feature in early Japanese mythology (viz. Susanoo's rampage),$^{:529}$ horse riding as a practice appears to have been introduced to Japan from the continent in the Kofun period and to have become widespread only in the fifth century.$^{:24}$ Initially, horse trappings (馬具) were also imported, with evidence for domestic production from the sixth century.$^{:24}$ In the latter half of the fifth century and into the sixth, with the development and spread of equestrian culture, horse-shaped haniwa were similarly produced in volume, especially in the Kantō region. According to the University of Michigan Museum of Anthropological Archaeology [Wikidata], "the high value placed on horses during the Tumulus period is reflected in the elaborate trappings of this haniwa".

## Overview

The haniwa was most likely excavated from Chūjō Kofun Cluster [ja] in what is now the city of Kumagaya; the so-called Haniwa Warrior in Tankō Armour [ja] is understood to have been recovered from the same group of kofun. Both haniwa were designated Important Cultural Properties in 1958 and are now held at Tokyo National Museum under the ownership of the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage. Both have been dated to the first half of the sixth century, with the Chūjō Kofun Cluster thought to have been in use around the middle of the century.
Made from clay, this haniwa horse stands to a total height of 87.5 centimetres (34.4 in), measures 101.5 centimetres (40.0 in) nose to tail, and has a width or depth of some 36.5 centimetres (14.4 in). Thanks to its cylindrical legs, some 37.2 centimetres (14.6 in) long, it stands firmly and stably upon the ground. In general it is well-preserved, although the front legs, ears, mane, tail, and saddle have all seen some restoration work. Well-groomed, the mane has been brushed up, into an decorative fastener at the front, and the tail hair has also been tied up. The genitalia allow its identification as a male.

## Trappings

The haniwa's trappings, from nose to tail, comprise the headgear, in the form of a bridle or tōraku (頭絡)—with uzu (雲珠) decorative metal fittings where the straps cross—incorporating the headpiece or omogai (面繫), bit or kutsuwa (轡), here part of a cheekpiece or kagami-ita (鏡板) with six small bells of the type known as rei (鈴), and reins or tazuna (手綱); a set of four horse bells or bataku (馬鐸), slung from the breast-strap or munagai (胸繫); the saddle tree or kurabone (鞍橋) and saddle flaps or aori (障泥), to cover and protect the horse's flanks, surmounted by ring stirrups or wa-abumi (輪鐙); and, to the rear, the crupper or shirigai (尻繫), with pendant plum leaf-shaped gyōyō (杏葉) decorations with triple bells attached in three directions.$^{:63}$
According to the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, horses so equipped would have made a "striking visual and aural impression", while symbolizing the "prestige and authority of their powerful owners".

## Gallery

* Saddle (NT) from Konda Maruyama Kofun [ja], Furuichi Kofun Cluster, Osaka Prefecture (Konda Hachiman-gū [ja])
* Kutsuwa bit and kagami-ita cheekpieces, gyōyō and uzu decorations, and wa-abumi ring stirrup, from Yamatsuteru Jinja Kofun [ja], Shiga Prefecture (Shiga Prefectural Azuchi Castle Archaeological Museum [ja])
* Triple rei and bataku horse bells from Menguro Kofun [ja], Shimane Prefecture (Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo)
* Later aori (saddle flap)