This figure of a war horse was likely intended for a Tango no Sekku (Boys' Day, now called Kodomo no Hi, Children's Day) festival display. The horse is white with a red silk fringe apron, a floral brocade blanket, black and red lacquered stirrups (one is missing), a red bridle, and purple-and-white striped reins. The front right foot is raised as if the horse is walking.
On Kodomo no Hi, families raise a carp-shaped flag, called a koinobori, for each boy or child in the family. Koinobori flags are chosen because when flown in the breeze, they look as if they are swimming upstream, alluding to a Chinese legend that holds that when a carp swims upstream it becomes a dragon. Families may also display samurai dolls and other figures in the home, such as a Kintarō (the Golden Boy) doll, typically depicted riding on a giant carp and wearing a kabuto military helmet. Traditional foods on Kodomo no Hi include mochi rice cakes wrapped in Kashiwa (oak) leaves and chimaki (sweet rice paste wrapped in an iris or bamboo leaf).
