Excavated from 6AFB Area on the ruins of Heijo Imperial Palace, Nara-shi, Nara.
8th century. Height 6.0-14.7cm.
Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties
From the late Kofun period through the Nara and Heian periods, numerous small statues of horses in earthenware and Sue ware were produced. In the Kofun period, they are often depicted as horses with accessories, in the Heian period as naked horses, and in the Nara period as horses halfway between the two. Especially in the Nara period, many small, light horses like this vessel were produced as earthenware. They were excavated mainly from ritual sites, and are also known to have been found in wells, ditches, and other such sites. The horses shown here were all found in ditches in District 6AFB.
These horses are thought to have been presented to the water gods to pray for rain and sunshine. Although poorly made, they are lovable little horses.
