Saddle with Genjikuruma Crest

This is a saddle said to have been used by Ashikaga Masauji, who was in charge of the Kita-Kanto branch (headquartered in present-day Koga, Ibaraki Prefecture) of the Muromachi Shogunate during the Sengoku Period (late 15th to late 16th centuries). The saddle has been preserved at the Kantoin, a Buddhist temple Masauji established in his later years located in present-day Kuki City, Saitama Prefecture. On the maewa (pommel, the arched front plate) and the shizuwa (cantle, the arched rear plate), there is a crest with a wheel design called a genjikuruma, one of the Ashikaga family crests. The crest is drawn in black lacquer trimmed with gold paint. Though the saddle is relatively plain, it has good durability. Cultural Properties Designated by Saitama Prefecture.