Pair of Stirrups (Abumi)

Inscribed by Sanemitsu Japanese

probably 18th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 377

The form of these luxurious stirrups is known traditionally as hato mune (pigeon breast). They are completely covered with finely inlaid silver decoration, demonstrating the supreme level of craftsmanship achieved by their otherwise unknown maker, Sanemitsu. The beautiful designs include Chinese lions, peonies, and a waterfall flowing into a brook. This is the only known pair of stirrups to use raised silver dots as a technique to highlight and accentuate the decoration. The stirrups were made in Kashu (now Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture), probably under the patronage of the Maeda clan, lords of Kaga and one of the most powerful families in Japan at the time.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

References

Title: Pair of Stirrups (Abumi)
Artist: Inscribed by Sanemitsu (Japanese, active in Ka shū, probably 18th century)
Date: probably 18th century
Geography: Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Culture: Japanese, Kashu
Medium: Iron, wood, silver, lacquer, paper
Dimensions: left: L. 10.7 in. (27.2 cm); W. 5.03 in. (12.8 cm); H. 9.68 in. (24.6 cm); right: L. 10.86 in. (27.6 cm); W. 5.03 in. (12.8 cm); H. 9.76 in. (24.8 cm)
Classification: Equestrian Equipment-Stirrups
Credit Line: Purchase, Morihiro and Sumiko Ogawa Gift, in memory of Charles Baber, 2016
Object Number: 2016.205a, b
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

In the same gallery

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Pair of Stirrups (<i>Abumi</i>), Iron, lacquer, mother-of-pearl, Japanese — Pair of Stirrups (*Abumi*)
Japanese
late 16th–early 17th century

Helmet in the Shape of a Crouching Rabbit, Iron, lacquer, silver, gold, leather, silk, Japanese — Helmet in the Shape of a Crouching Rabbit
Japanese
17th century

Helmet (<i>Hoshi- Kabuto</i>) in the 16th-Century Style, Saotome Ienari Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, Japanese — Helmet (*Hoshi- Kabuto*) in the 16th-Century Style
Saotome Ienari
probably late 17th–early 18th century

Helmet (<i>Zukinnari Kabuto</i>), Iron, lacquer, Japanese — Helmet (*Zukinnari Kabuto*)
Japanese
16th century

Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese — Armor (*Gusoku*)
Saotome Ietada
Myōchin Munesuke
16th and 18th centuries

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.