A Show of Horsemanship, second half 17th century, Unknown Japanese, 65 1/4 x 146 in. (165.74 x 370.84 cm), Ink, color, and gold on paper, Japan, 17th century, During the Edo period (1603-1868) eighteen military techniques were considered essential for the training of a proper samurai. Foremost among these were archery, sword fighting, and horsemanship. Affluent warriors commissioned lavish folding screens that illustrated their favorite martial pastime. For this six-fold screen, the artist depicted a portion of a high-ranking warrior's estate as seen through golden clouds. To the right, a sizable mansion is shown complete with painted folding screens and sliding doors. The spectators, seated on green tatami mats and the wooden planks of the veranda, lounge casually in colorful and elegant robes. The focus of the screen, however, is the four horsemen who gallop about in the open courtyard.