Japanese Kura bene

A rare Japanese wagura-style red oak (kashi) saddle from the Edo period (1603-1868), entirely decorated with mother-of-pearl spangles (raden aogai). The different parts are connected together by joints and cords allowing the kura bane to flex. It has four parts: the maewa (tree), the arched front plate, and the shizuwa (troussement), the arched back plate. These are connected by two igi (profiled side strips) that connect the maewa to the shizuwa. The igi rest on either side of the horse's spine and serve as a subframe for the leather assembly (basen or kura tsubo). The igi are split for the stirrup straps (chikara-gawa or gekiso).

It was with the Ise school (one of the oldest) that saddlemaking became the domain of specialists (Kaurauchi).
The school is located, as its name suggests, on the Ise Peninsula, known for its famous shrines.

Inscribed : "an auspicious day on the eighth of the eleventh month of 1668" (third quarter of the 17th century).
The date is written on the bottom of the kura, most of its surface decorated with aogai-nashiji (raden), and with a clam motif on the front and back.
Clams represent auspicious signs, effective against bad luck and curses.

Additional Information:
Hadazuke: High side guards for the horse's flanks.
Aori: Low side guards for the horse's flanks.
Basen: Very thin pad placed on the saddle, usually made of leather.
Chikara-gawa: Stirrup leathers used to hold the stirrups to the saddle.
Bakin: Padded cover placed behind the kura.
Muchi: Long bamboo riding crop.
Hana-neji: Wooden nose wire decorated with aogai-nashiji (raden).
Abumi: Iron stirrups decorated with silver highlights, signed "Kanazawa of Kashu" (????), Edo period, 17th century. The interiors are inlaid with mother-of-pearl (raden).
Workshop that manufactured metal equipment for mounted warriors in Kanazawa, Kaga Province.

Comparanda :
- Collection Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum, Dallas (Texas USA)
- Museo Stibbert - Florence (IT)
- Metropolitan Museum - New York (USA)

Provenance :
Important private collection Brussels (BE)