Carved wood horse figurine, Miharu-koma (Japanese children’s toy or protective charm), painted primarily black with color designs of yellow, blue, and red. horsehair mane and tail.
Donor:
Dai Williams, Estate of Karin Nelson, and Karin Nelson
Collection place:
Japan
Collector:
Dai Williams
Materials:
Horsehair and Wood (plant material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Figurines and Horses
Function:
5.6 Sports, Games, Amusements; Gambling and Pet Accessories
Accession date:
March 20, 2012
Department:
Asia (except western Russia)
Comment:
This horse draws upon ancient beliefs in magic horses and specifically a legend dating back to a famous battle in the 8th century. Similar examples were made in the Edo period but this one appears to have been made more recently. Miharu-koma are also supposed to nurture and help young children so are also often called kosodate-koma (nanny-horses). [Source: 'Folk Traditions In Japanese Art' by Victor and Takako Hauge, p.264]