Classic Kazariuma (Caparisoned Horse) for the Boy's Day Display, Meiji Era

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15" (38 cm.) Created in the keuesaiku technique of papier mache body covered in silk and cotton threads and red silk trappings, the horse has a well-formed head with ears pitched forward, inset glass eyes, open mouth revealing teeth and tongue, and posed solidly with right rear leg slightly forward giving it a sense of forward movement, decorated with purple and white striped silk crepe reigns, lacquered saddle with stenciled leather covering and lacquered abumi stirrups, gold lacquered paper side flaps, long silk tassel ornamentation, silk hair mane and tail, traditional umugatsu woven horse shoes. Meiji Era, circa 1900. Since ancient times it was customary to present to shrines a white horse as a gesture of gratitude. The traditional name for Boy's Day is Tango-no-sekku which literally translated means "first horse day of the month." So in addition to being a classic military symbol, the horse was zodiacally linked to the holiday itself, while also carrying strong votive connotations. Although white horses were the most common, black, pinto and other colorations were also created for the Boy's Day kazariuma.