East Asian Art Figure of a Horse Made in Kyoto, Japan, AsiaShöwa Period (1926-1989), c. 1930 Kiyomizu Rokubei V, Japanese, 1875 - 1959 Terracotta (Kyoto ware) Currently not on view 1963-181-214 The Louis E. Stern Collection, 1963 |
LabelThis artist was probably inspired by an ancient Japanese sculpture entitled Haniwa. Historically, the horse has been a highly admired animal in Japan, both as a steed for warriors and as an object of worship. It is a Japanese tradition to give toy horses to little boys, the original idea being that such a toy would inspire courage and determination in a male child. |
