Japan Horses in East Asian warfare

yabusame archers, edo period

the samurai particularly skilled in art of using archery horseback. used methods of training such yabusame, originated in 530 ad , reached peak under minamoto yoritomo (1147–1199 ad) in kamakura period. conventions of warfare in japan switched emphasis on mounted bowmen mounted spearmen during sengoku period (1467–1615 ad).

amongst samurai, tokugawa ieyasu (1543–1616) known excellent horseman, forms foundation of anecdote shogun s character. 1 day , troops had cross narrow bridge on raging river. wondering how ride on dangerous bridge. ieyasu dismounted, led horse on bridge other side, , re-mounted steed. @ nikko, burial place of horse ridden ieyasu tokugawa in battle of sekigahara marked inscribed stone.

in pre-meiji japan, horses considered in context of warfare , transportation of cargo. general rule non-samurai , women did not ride in saddle reserved samurai warriors, however, tomoe gozen exception general rule appearance of women , non-samurai on horseback in meiji period prints represented innovative development.

since 1958, statue of horse @ yasukuni shrine has acknowledged equine contributions in japanese military actions; , opened, full bottles of water left @ statues. other public memorials in other locations in japan commemorate horses in japanese warfare, e.g., nogi shrine in kyoto.