Horseback warriors in early Japanese history?
The Middle Kofun period (late 4th–5th centuries AD) was a time of profound change in Kofun-period society. The sharp increase in grave goods comprising weapons and armour is often associated with the emergence of a warrior elite, whilst the introduction of the horse is frequently interpreted as a response to military developments on the Eurasian mainland.
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Studienabend: Die Rolle des Pferdes und die Illusion einer Kriegerelite in der Kofun-Zeit
However, the archaeological evidence tells a different story. Burial mounds and ritual sites reveal the religious and symbolic role played by both offensive and defensive weaponry, as well as the horse, during the Kofun period.
An analysis of the grave goods shows that the elites used their access to prestige goods to build a supra-regional network of allies through their distribution.
The special significance of the horse during the Kofun period continued to have a lasting influence on Japanese society for centuries to come.
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Dates
October 2026
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