Japanese Samurai Saddle & its parts

 Salvete Omnes,

Japanese saddle or kura was divided into three types-  samurai saddle (Yamato gura) - gunjingura (war saddle), saikangura (riding saddle) and finally a  kura for packhorse- ni-gura or konida-gura.

First the kura (saddle ) has saddle tree or the kurabane- wooden tree made from red oak, made from pommel (maewa), cantle (shizuwa), two bars (igi) connecting maewa with shizuwa. 

.

on top of the saddle tree went kura tsubo (a thin leather saddle seat or basen) with slots for the stirrup straps (Chikara-gawa/gekiso)

Saddle flaps  - Aori - went under the Kurebane saddle tree protecting the horse's sides 

Shita-kura or hadazuke - double leather pads under the saddle-tree 

a cinch went through this part 

Abumi - stirrups and stirrup straps/'fenders'

saddle tie-downs (4) or Shiode - 

Uma agemaki - tassels for decoration and utility

Kiritsuke - saddle blanket

Shirigai - crupper leathers/straps

Shirigai was covered with a padded cover or Bakin. 

Mungai - breast strap

Cinch strap or Harubi - 

                                                                                 ***

the bridle and its parts I will  do another time .

ps

a pack saddle

enjoy

valete

Kofun Period Armor - Japan armored horsemen

 Salvete Omnes,

continuing from the last post - Kofun Period in Japan

let us travel to old Japan - some 1700-1400 years ago of the Kofun period.

the very beginning of the Japanese civilization and the equestrian elements of their culture - horses, armor, and swords and warrior elite (early samurai)  under the celestial emperors.

 

Haniwa calry figure warriors in armor

what is a warrior without a warrior-bard with some music singing songs and poems about glory and prowess

all images are from Wiki Commons galleries

Valete