JAPANESE ART 461 



mous two-pronged fork with short tines much spread ; the 

 cantle was the same, but somewhat wider, and with tines 

 more spread. These were held together by two side- 

 pieces placed against them end on, and lashed to them by 

 gay silk cords passed through holes perforated in each, 

 and with dangling tassels. The saddle was never a firm, 

 solid whole ; the parts were illy held to each other, and 

 nothing but a mass of blankets saved the horse from a con- 

 stant sore back. The daimio sat as loosely in the saddle 

 as it sat loosely on the horse, and rode with a more than 

 Oriental seat, leaning forward over the withers and perched 

 away above the horse, much as I can remember the effigy 

 of Akbar, the Great Mogul, at Madame Tussaud's Wax 

 "Works. His feet were thrust into the biggest metal stir- 

 rups which, I think, have ever existed, and which weigh 

 six to ten pounds apiece. They are made like a huge pair 

 of slippers without heels or counters, and with the sides 

 cut out, while the heavy silk cord which served in lieu of 

 leathers passed through an eye at the instep. These stir- 

 rups can often be bought at the curio-stores. They are 

 generally of iron, ornamented with fine damascene work 

 of gold and silver. To us ,less artistic people it seems 

 queer to decorate with precious metals so common a ma- 

 terial as iron ; but the Japanese thinks only of the effect, 

 using all metals indifferently to work out his scheme ; and 

 iron lends itself wonderfully well to decoration. The dai- 

 mio's bit was a queer affair, a cross between a curb and a 

 double-ring snaffle, and was hung in a simple bridle of silk 

 cord. His bridle-reins were often tied to his sash on either 

 side of him a fact which perhaps argues more for his 

 ability to guide his pony than I have above admitted. 

 The pony was shod with straw sandals or not at all. The 

 daimio wore a dress of marvellous goods, with his crest 

 between the shoulder-blades, and embroidered all over 



