Stirrup - stirrup

A type of horse tack. Attached to the saddle, it is hung on the outside of the horse's body by stirrup leathers, and supports the weight of the rider's feet when mounting and dismounting and while riding, making it easier for the rider to move on horseback. The Japanese word abumi is said to have originated from the word ashibumi, which evolved into a foot pedal. It is believed that stirrups were not invented by horse-riding peoples who were good at horse riding, but rather by agricultural peoples who were not good at horse riding, who used them as foot pedals when riding horses, and they developed into a convenient tool for riders. Based on excavated items, stirrups seem to have existed in Scythia in the 4th century BC, India in the 2nd century BC, and during the Han period in China. There are various types of stirrups. The stirrups common throughout the world are based on the ring stirrup. At first, leather straps or ropes were used, and later they were made of wood or metal. Ring stirrups were introduced to Japan during the Kofun period, and after the 5th century, tsubo stirrups were made. These developed into long-tongued stirrups during the Nara and Heian periods, and continued into the Edo period as stirrups with a tongue that are unique to Japan. Since the Meiji period, Western stirrups, a type of ring stirrup, have been used.

[Shinichi Matsuo]

"The History of Japanese Equestrianism, Volume 3" edited by the Japan Riding Association (1940, Dai Nippon Kidokai/1980, Hara Shobo)" ▽ "Exploring Ancient Japanese Culture: Horses" edited by Mori Koichi (1974, Shakai Shisosha) ▽ "The History of Riding and Driving" by Kamo Giichi (1980, Hosei University Press)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

馬具の一種。鞍(くら)に付属し、鐙革(あぶみがわ)で馬体の左右の外側につるされ、馬に乗り降りするときや乗馬中に騎手の足の重みを支え、馬上での騎手の動きを容易にするもの。日本語の起源は足踏(あしぶみ)が転化して「あぶみ」となったとされる。鐙を発明したのは乗馬の得意な騎馬民族ではなく、得意でない農耕民族が馬に乗るときの足ふみとしたものが発達して、騎手に都合のよい道具となったものと考えられている。鐙は出土品などからみて、紀元前4世紀のスキタイや前2世紀のインドや中国の漢の時代に存在していたらしい。鐙には種々の形が知られている。世界共通の鐙は輪鐙(わあぶみ)を基本としたものである。最初は革紐(かわひも)や縄が用いられ、のちに木製や金属製になった。日本には古墳時代に輪鐙が伝来し、5世紀以後には壺鐙(つぼあぶみ)がつくられ、奈良・平安時代には舌長鐙へと発展し、日本独特の舌のある鐙になって江戸時代に至っている。明治以後は輪鐙の一種である洋鐙が用いられている。

［松尾信一］

『日本乗馬協会編『日本馬術史　第3巻』（1940・大日本騎道会／1980・原書房）』▽『森浩一編『日本古代文化の探求・馬』（1974・社会思想社）』▽『加茂儀一著『騎行・車行の歴史』（1980・法政大学出版局）』

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