拍品專文
The kurusu [cross] mon was used in a number of forms by Christian daimyo families. The mon is formed of two crosses, one set diagonally of silver and gold heidatsu [level inlay] - possibly representing ritual sword blades, and the other of four pineapple shaped arms exquisitely depicted in carefully set minute square pieces of silver and gold kirikane [cut foil] following the curved profile. Since it would have been impossible to use such an eye-catching saddle with a Christian motif in public it is believed that this saddle must have been kept hidden away thus explaining its fine condition.
![A Suikan-Gura [Riding Saddle] with Christian Mon](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2015/CKS/2015_CKS_11671_0005_001(a_suikan-gura_riding_saddle_with_christian_mon_signed_kitagawa_kore_wo110211).jpg?w=1)
![A Suikan-Gura [Riding Saddle] with Christian Mon](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2015/CKS/2015_CKS_11671_0005_000(a_suikan-gura_riding_saddle_with_christian_mon_signed_kitagawa_kore_wo095431).jpg?w=1)