Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Kozuka with a Horse and Show Monkey
(Japanese Military Armor)
Images pairing horses and monkeys are common because monkeys were believed to keep horses calm within a stable. Monkeys are often shown as grooms for horses. On this kozuka, a horse is shown galloping across the front. On the reverse, a framed inset depicts a monkey tied to a poll. The artist's signature is within this inset, which contributes to its resemblance to a painting. The background of the kozuka is worked in a fish egg ("nanako") pattern.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Geographies
Japan, Kyoto (Place of Origin)
Measurements
3 3/4 in. (9.6 cm) (l.)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
51.634