Treasures of JapanA catalogue of Japan's designated cultural properties
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Important Cultural Property

Saddle with Reed Motifs

芦穂蒔絵鞍鐙（鞍）
Saddle with Reed Motifs (芦穂蒔絵鞍鐙（鞍）)
PLATE IImage: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0
At a glance — Lacquerware · Muromachi period, 16th century · held by Tokyo National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation
Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Category
Lacquerware
Date
1501–1600
Location
Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID
cobas-82210

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This saddle was likely owned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598), a samurai warlord renowned as one of the “Three Unifiers of Japan.” Using lacquer and gold dust, a master artisan decorated the surface with reeds, a popular motif in Japanese arts and crafts. Large silver rivets, now tarnished, create the illusion of morning dew on the leaves.

— Museum description: Tokyo National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.

Record & Sources

Cite this page: “Saddle with Reed Motifs（芦穂蒔絵鞍鐙（鞍））.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-82210. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/saddle-with-reed-motifs/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.
Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)
  • Genre: Lacquerware
  • Material: Lacquered wood with [maki-e]
  • Cultural property designation: Important Cultural Property
  • Category: Applied arts:Arms and armor:Horse tack:Saddles
  • 員数: 1背
  • 分類: 漆工
  • 品質形状: 木製漆塗
  • 種別: 工芸:武器・武具:馬具:鞍

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