Japanese ceremonial saddle

An Edo-period (1603-1868) Japanese wagura style ceremonial saddle, entirely decorated in perfectly shaped flakes of mother-of-pearl (kura). The Japanese saddle is made from red oak (kashi), the different parts are connected to each other by joints and cords allowing the kurabane to flex, it has four parts, the maewa (pommel) the arched front plate, the shizuwa (cantle) the arched rear plate, these are connected by two igi (contoured side bands) which connect the maewa to the shizuwa, the igi rest on either side of the horse’s spine and serve as the under frame for the leather set (basen or kura tsubo), the igi are slotted for the stirrup straps (chikara-gawa or gekiso) to pass through. It was with the Ise school (one of the oldest) that the manufacture of saddles became matter for specialists (Kaurauchi).
The school is located as the name suggests on the Ise Peninsula, known for these famous Sanctuary.
On the appropriate box is written : saddle, Kura Hitokoshi, Ise Mamoru from school of Ise. Dimensions modern base included : 35 cm high, 38 cm long and 41 cm wide.