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 w^ith 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 



