Description YOSHITSUGU: A PAIR OF GILT AND SILVER-INLAID LACQUERED IRON STIRRUPS (ABUMI)By Yoshitsugu, signed Yoshitsugu sakuJapan, 17th to early 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Of typical form, the exteriors finely decorated in gilt and silver hirazogan with flowering peony, the undersides each with a daikon radish. The buckles at the top with movable tangs. The interiors of red lacquer. Each stirrup signed on the uprights in silver hirazogan YOSHITSUGU saku.SIZE 24.5 x 28 cm and 25 x 28 cmWEIGHT 2,284 g and 2,053 gCondition: Good condition, commensurate with over 300 years of age. The lacquer with expected age cracks and some losses. Wear to inlays and gilt. Minuscule nicks and light scratches. Few minor losses to inlays.Provenance: Dutch collection.At least eighteen artists using the name Yoshitsugu are listed in Haynes, Robert E. (2001) The Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists, two of which worked in Kaga Province, where the present stirrups were likely made; Yoshitsugu H 12230.0 (Kanazawa in Kaga Province, ca. 1600) and Yoshitsugu H 12234.0.Abumi, Japanese stirrups, were used in Japan as early as the 5th century, and were a necessary component along with the Japanese saddle (kura) for the use of horses in warfare. Abumi became the type of stirrup used by the samurai class of feudal Japan.The military version of this open-sided stirrup, called the shitanaga abumi, was in use by the middle Heian period. It was thinner, had a deeper toe pocket and an even longer and flatter foot shelf. It is not known why the Japanese developed this unique style of stirrup, but this stirrup stayed in use until European style-stirrups were introduced in the late 19th century. The abumi had a distinctive swan-like shape, curved up and backward at the front so as to bring the loop for the leather strap over the instep and achieve a correct balance. Most of the surviving specimens from this period are made entirely of iron, inlaid with designs of silver or other materials, and covered with lacquer.Auction comparison:Compare to a closely related pair of abumi, sold at Christie's, Japanese Art and Design, 12 May 2010, London, lot 459 (sold for 4,000 GBP).