Komahiki

In the Gedan-no-ma, the sliding door panels depict one of the annual court ceremonies—the Komahiki ceremony. Komahiki was a formal event in which horses from provincial stock farms were brought into the imperial courtyard to be inspected by the Emperor. Occasionally, the horses were presented to members of the imperial family and court nobles. This ceremony was held every August from the early Heian period until the 15th century. During the ceremony, the horses were paraded before the Emperor and then taken to either the Sa-Meryō or U-Meryō—court departments responsible for horse-related matters (“Sa” meaning “left” and “U” meaning “right”). After the reign of the 66th Emperor Ichijō, the Emperor ceased to attend the ceremony, and the venue was moved to the space in front of the Kenreimon gate.
The sliding door panels on the east side of the room depict a large image of the Kenreimon gate and horses awaiting instructions for distribution. A total of 49 horses is shown in the courtyard, some restless, some waiting quietly and others about to run. Alongside them, 192 figures, including court nobles and spectators in various postures, are meticulously depicted, showcasing the artist's exceptional skill.