noun
clay horse figurine
Archaeological term for small clay horse figurines from the Kofun and Nara periods, often found in burial mounds.
古墳から土馬が出土した。
A clay horse was excavated from the ancient burial mound.
Compound of 土 (do, 'earth, clay') and 馬 (ba, 'horse'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term refers to clay horse figurines used in ancient rituals.