HORSE BREEDS
Rare Japanese horse breeds face critical list
The Taishū is one of eight horse breeds designated as indigenous in Japanese by the Japan Equine Affairs Association, and many of them are on the brink of extinction, writes DANNII CUNNANE.
A
lthough there is still some controversy over the subject, it is generally believed that horses did not exist in Japan during the Paleolithic, Mesolithic or Neolithic periods (Stone Age, Jomon and early YaYoi eras). It is also believed that all Japanese native horses are descended from animals brought from the mainland of Asia at various times and by various routes. Certainly domestic horses
were present in Japan as early as the fourth century.
height of around 130 centimetres at the shoulder – 13hh. They are noted for their gentle nature and were once widely used for agriculture and to transport people and goods to their destinations before cars and trucks took over the industry.
Where does the horse live? The Taishū is a rare Japanese breed of small horse from Tsushima Island in the Korea Strait, in Nagasaki Prefecture, off the coast of Japan. The island is situated halfway between the Japanese mainland and the Korean Peninsula.
The horse in Japanese culture Up until 1912, the Taishū played an important role in Japanese culture. They were widely used in warfare until the introduction of firearms in the late sixteenth century and horsemanship was one of the skills prized by the warriors who founded the Samurai class.
It is a relatively small breed of horse and stands at an average
Horses had an important symbolic role in Japanese religion
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