Samurai Saddle
Made of mulberry wood and covered with
smoked leather the saddle bears a design of birds and flowers in brown.
Iron box-stirrups of lacquered black were attached by iron chains. The stirrups allowed the samurai to use their bows since
they could control their mounts with feet and knees, freeing their hands
to use their weapons. Note how this technology
spread across the Eurasian continent.
Source: Arts
of Japan. A Complete Illustrated Guide H. Batterson Boger (New York;
Doubleday, 1964), 316. Dated and inscribed: Tempyo Shoho fourth year, tenth
month (i.e., 752 AD). From Shosoin, Nara.
/ ASSIGNMENT /