What would be a good way to get a nice truely ridden samurai saddle without all the hyperinflation involved? I am sure we have great members here who live or have main contacts in Japan.

Several years ago I bought the tout-ensemble for a horse from a friend in Kyoto. If memory serves he told me it came from Kyushu somewhere. It is housed in two large pine storage boxes that sadly bear no inscriptions but are of some age. In one was the saddle and stirrups on an original stand, in the other everything else. Most perplexing were two long thick hemp ropes with tasselled ends. I am still not absolutely sure what they are for but I think they are for tying the horse to a beam in the stables to stop it lying down. I append an image showing this. Apart from the usual bridle, breast and crupper straps, in Dutch-cloth with silk fringes, there is a second bridle in gold 'rope', reins, a small halter, alternative saddle-rings, san shaku gawa, yak-hair tassels to attach to the bit, a riding whip and a large elaborately embroidered and heavily padded bum-cover that ties to the crupper straps. This thing is about 3" thick and must have given the horse the most peculiar outline. About two days ago I slung out photos of all the pieces on the basis that I could always take some more - doesn't it always happen. I will charge up the camera and do a few pics today.
Ian Bottomley

As promised a couple of shots before the batteries gave out. The saddle still has its velvet covered padded cover, no doubt used often since without it they are veritable b*ll-breakers. This has had modern over-sewing using a machine, but I think it of some age. The saddle is dated 3rd year of Meireki. I also show the little stand on which it sits nicely in its box.
Ian B.

Very nice, Ian.

BTW Does it have all four of the Shio-de triangular rope attachments? (Can see one and part of another in the first pic above.)

Piers, Yes, all the loops are present. The ones attached, by hemp cords, are in silver with gold lacquered middle sections. There is also a set of four large embossed copper disc shaped ones with silk cords. These look as if they were gilded at one time but are now rubbed to bare copper. I suspect they were used for special occasions.
Ian

Some pictures of my saddle, Eric. Except for the side protectors it is complete including chest and stand. I am still lookig for matching protectors in green and gold leather. The kura is late Edo, the abumi are early Edo, maybe earlier. They carry the kiri mon and a signature which I suppose, is "Nariyuki Saku", eberything originally inlaid with silver(ginzogan), most of it gone now. Generally they show a lot of wear. Here they come:

Ian, thanks for the pics...thats 2 things I have never seen, the stand and the saddle cover....a really complete set had a lot of parts apparently.

Thanks Martin, nice set..I have been trying to see pictures of all the equipment used for a horse but I never see the stands and now here are 2, Ian just posted a pic and you have a different style, and I didnt realize that there was a special shaped box...great information, good luck on the side protectors..I see them for sale in Japan from time to time.

After a change of batteries, herewith a few more bits:
The crupper cover is of Dutch-cloth embroidered in gold with a gilded leather border lacquered with karakusa. As said, it is about 3" thick. The shishi has glass eyes and long eyelashes in blue-grey silk.
The two tassels are of yak hair and red silk and hang either side of the bit from the arms that take the reins. Those worn by European cavalry, usually one attached to the bridle, were to stop a cut to the horse's windpipe.
This is one of the two identical hemp ropes that I think were for use in the stables.
Finally the posh bridle in very stiff gold rope with a gilded leather brow band.
Ian

Ian, I see some of the horse related bridal parts, ropes etc from time to time but its hard to identify the actual use, pictures like these put the parts into context.

Something you do not see much of is pack horse equipment. Besides a personal horse a samurai would need another horse to carry his equipment, here is a picture of a pack saddle and bit, I am not sure if it is a horse saddle or not.

Here are some terms from the Oxford-Duden Japanese-English Dictionary for harness. Might come in handy sometime. John
Harness 馬具
Bridle 馬勒
Halter 頭絡
Girth 腹帯
Reins 手綱
Saddle 鞍
Saddle seat 鞍座
Pommel 鞍 頭
Cantle 鞍尾
Flap (fender) 垂れ
Stirrup 鐙
and Eric's pack saddle 荷鞍

If you are a horse freak I would highly recommend Sasama's 'Nihon no Kassen Bugu Jiten' (ISBN 4-7601-1705-9). This has sections on archery, guns, banners, camp equipment etc and everything to do with horses. It explains how to tie all the bits of a harness together as well as details of different breeds of horse, colourings, types of harness and so much more.
John - Thank you for the kanji.
Eric - love the pack saddle. I assume the bit is for a pack animal since there are no arms for reins.
Ian B.

One more book for the ever growing list, I have this pair of ropes and I am wondering if they might be horse related, they are 12 ft long with loops on one end and tassels on the other and quite thick..any opinions
I think these tassels seem to be horse related also.

Eric, Your small purple tassels could well be for the bit. It looks as if similar ones were used to attach the bit to the bridle, although those I have seem rather too delicate. Your ropes are clearly for the same purpose as mine. Initially I thought they were for the grooms to lead the horse with but they are far too massive - you could dock a ship with them. I think they are stable ropes.
Ian