Jump to content
Font Size：

Language

Series Japanese Natural History : Bugei (Military Arts): Falcon hunting and Inuoumono

  • Image of "Miniature Replicas of Inuoumono(Dog Chasing Event), Edo period, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Tokugawa Muneyoshi)"

    Miniature Replicas of Inuoumono(Dog Chasing Event), Edo period, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Tokugawa Muneyoshi)

    Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 16
    October 25, 2005 (Tue) - December 11, 2005 (Sun)

    Among the various meanings of the word bugei, one refers to rules of warrior arts that warriors should learn. Two of these were falcon hunting and inuoumono, which were presented by warriors with strict procedure.

    For centuries, falcon hunting was regarded as a symbol of political authority. During the Edo period, hunting events were important ceremonies to reinforce the relationships between shogun and daimyo. In addition, they were opportunities to tour the domain and get some physical exercise. Hunting grounds and game were items granted from the shogun to daimyo for their services. Falcon hunting is still practiced all over the world, but in what form the tradition should be maintained remains an issue.

    Inuoumono is a method of military training where mounted warriors chase and shoot a dog with blunted arrows. It flourished in the Kamakura (1192-1333) through Muromachi periods (1392-1573). It gradually became ceremonial and obsolete, but the Shimazu family revived it and other daimyo began to practice it in 1622.

 Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
 Shogun's Falconry at Komaba, By Sakakibara Nagatoshi, Edo period, dated 1786
Book of Falconry, Edo period, 17th century
Rules of Falconers, Edo period, 19th century
Inu-Oumono (Dog Chasing Game Played by Mounted Archers), By Oshima Sukebe, Edo period, dated 1711 (Gift of Mr. Tokugawa Muneyoshi)
Illustrated Book of Inuoumono, By Ise Sadatake, Edo period, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Tokugawa Muneyoshi)
Miniature Replicas of Inuoumono (Dog Chasing Event), Edo period, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Tokugawa Muneyoshi)
Exhibitions