土 馬　Clay horse

3D Model

◯栃木市西方城跡　Nishikata Castle　Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture, JAPAN　　　　　　　　　　　◯戦国時代　　　　Warring States period (16th century)　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　◯長さ7.7ｃｍ　　 7.7cm in length　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　◯所蔵：栃木市教育委員会　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　◯三次元計測：栃木県埋蔵文化財センター　計測機材：Next Engine HD Pro　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　◯文献：栃木市教育委員会2024『西方城跡総合調査報告書』

Most clay horse figurines date from the late 5th century to the first half of the 10th century. One theory suggests that such clay horses were used in rituals to pray for rain. During periods of drought, it was customary to offer horses or cattle as sacrifices; however, when the government later prohibited such practices, clay horses are thought to have been used in their place. These figurines disappeared after the 10th century but reappeared in the latter half of the 14th century. Most surviving examples date to the 15th century, while only two—including the one shown here—are known from the 16th century.