Complete Samurai Saddle

Complete lacquered wooden samurai saddle with lacquered leather flaps, inlaid iron stirrups, bit, and harness. Japan, Eddo period, 18th-19th century. Saddle sold with stand.
The saddle decorated overall in gold nashiji with a coiling dragon in gold hiramaki-e on the front of the pommel and rear of the cantle, fitted with four doe-skin straps holding black-lacquer shihode (tie-downs), the shitakura (inner saddle pads), and kurashiki (saddle flaps) lacquered black and trimmed in gold, the shitakura applied with gilt-metal edging, the stirrup leather decorated in matching black with gold trim, the aori (saddle flaps) red with gold and black trim, the iron stirrups decorated in flush inlays of silver and brass with a coiling dragon on waves, illegibly signed on the uprights, with a shirigai (crupper) decorated with a dragon in black lacquer on a gold ground, a snaffle bit, decorative tassels and ties, and a wood stand