Abumi-guchi

Overview

Abumi-guchi is drawn as a low, squat creature in grass and low vegetation. Its wide central opening resembles the foot space of a stirrup, now turned into a gaping mouth. Round eyes occupy the upper edges of the object, and braided straps extend to either side before ending in loose tassels. The metallic or decorated rim remains recognizable within the face.

The printed heading 鐙口 supplies the exact identity of this animated riding object. Unlike the upright, weapon-bearing saddle figure Kurayarō, this being retains a compact shape close to the ground. That contrast helps distinguish two illustrations involving horse equipment without inventing separate biological species. The inspected print supports mouth, eyes and tassel-like limbs; detailed narratives of a fallen rider or battlefield waiting need an independently checked textual witness.

Origins & earliest records

Toriyama Sekien, Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro, first published 1784; volume 2 named plate directly inspected in the Smithsonian digitization. The final colophon states Tenmei 4 (1784) and a Bunka 2 (1805) reprint.

Records & interpretation

Printed label 鐙口 and composition directly checked against the enlarged plate. This is an illustrated object apparition; an independent local oral tradition is not assumed.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro

   Toriyama Sekien · 1784

   Volume 2; IIIF canvas index 6 (zero-based); HyakkitsurezureV2Tori_0007.jp2. This selected digitized copy includes later reprint information.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Institutional primary-book recordHyakki Tsurezure Bukuro — Smithsonian Libraries volume 2Research access: 2026-10-05
2. Primary illustrated plate / institutional digitizationAbumi-guchi (鐙口) — exact inspected illustrationResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

Abumi-guchi, named plate by Toriyama Sekien

Printed label 鐙口 directly inspected with the enlarged composition. A stirrup acquires eyes, a wide mouth and dangling straps in Sekien’s Abumi-guchi illustration. Exact URL copied from the returned manifest.