About this objectHollow clay models of horses such as these were found around the perimeter of 5th-6th century kofun tombs in Japan, along with other objects such as human figures, birds, houses and ships. Its inclusion reinforces the central role of horses in Japan elite life at this time. Although traces are found of horses in Japan before this, it is during the Kofun period that there is evidence for their use in the miiitary and for riding. This is reinforced by the horse tack found in other burials, such as Fujinoki [EXH126].
Date Made5th-6th century
PeriodKofun
Subject and Association KeywordsDeath and burials
Subject and Association KeywordsHorses
Subject and Association DescriptionLearn More: Cartwright 2017; Edwards 1983; Ford 1989; Nagamine and Mizuno Masayoshi 1977; Park 1988
Medium and Materialsearthenware with traces of pigment
TechniqueEarthenware
Measurements59.7 x 66 cm
Credit LineCleveland Museum of Art
Object numberEXH111: The Norweb Collection 1957.27
