Hand-decorated Ko-Yakushi crackle-glaze ceramic horse figurine by Yakushigama (薬師窯) — Year of the Horse 2026 (hinoeuma). Saddle blanket carries the auspicious 壽 (kotobuki, longevity) character. ~19 cm tall on its included black-lacquered wooden display stand. Arrives in original red lacquered Yakushigama presentation box.
Quick facts
| Form |
Standing zodiac horse, mid-stride pose |
| Width |
~21.5 cm (8.5") |
| Depth |
~8 cm (3.1") |
| Height |
~19 cm (7.5") on stand |
| Material |
Ceramic — Ko-Yakushi crackle body |
| Series |
古薬師招福午 (Ko-Yakushi Shōfuku Uma) — Yakushigama's Lucky-Attracting Zodiac line |
| Glaze |
kanyū 貫入 ivory crackle + iron-spot accents + black tenmoku highlights |
| Saddle character |
壽 (kotobuki / shou — longevity / blessing) |
| Mount |
Black-lacquered oval wooden display stand (kuro-nuri kibadai 黒塗木台) — included |
| Packaging |
Red lacquered presentation box (薬師窯 招福干支 octagonal logo) — included |
| Origin |
Import from Japan
|
| Made by |
Yakushigama (薬師窯), curated by ZenKiln |
The horse in Japanese symbolism
2026 is hinoeuma 丙午, the Year of the Horse — the 7th of the twelve Japanese zodiac signs (eto 干支). In Japanese auspicious imagery, the horse symbolises vitality, strength, and forward momentum (前進 zenshin) — horses never move backward, making them a symbol of irreversible progress. The 壽 (kotobuki) character on the saddle blanket compounds vitality with the wish for long life, the standard pairing on New Year and milestone-birthday gift figurines.
Why Yakushigama and the 古薬師 (Ko-Yakushi) finish
Yakushigama is one of the major contemporary Japanese kilns producing auspicious figurines — maneki neko, zodiac figures, treasure boats. Their 古薬師 (Ko-Yakushi, "Old-Yakushi") line uses a controlled crackle-glaze formula that mimics aged Yakushi-yaki — a designed, intentional finish, not natural aging. The result reads "heirloom" rather than "new", which is exactly why collectors prefer this line for permanent display.
How to display
- On a console, mantel, or shelf as a 2026 Year-of-the-Horse statement piece
- In a tokonoma alcove with a New Year scroll
- In a home office facing the doorway — traditional feng shui placement for career-momentum
- As a wedding-anniversary or milestone-birthday gift (the 壽 character is appropriate for kanreki 60th, koki 70th, kiju 77th, and beyond)
Care
For decorative display only. Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals. The crackle glaze is in-glaze (designed) — do not interpret as damage; the figurine has full structural integrity. Keep out of direct strong sunlight to preserve the painted highlights.
Common questions
Is the crackle damage or design?
It's a designed, intentional finish — the kanyū 貫入 crackle network is created during firing as part of Yakushigama's Ko-Yakushi formula. The figurine is structurally fully intact. The crackle is in-glaze (surface only), not in-body.
What does the saddle character mean?
壽 (kotobuki / shou) means "longevity, blessing, congratulations". It is one of the most common auspicious characters in Japanese decorative arts, used on New Year, wedding, and milestone-birthday gifts. The character placement on the saddle blanket compounds the horse's vitality symbol with the longevity wish.
Is the wooden stand included?
Yes. The black-lacquered oval wooden display stand (kuro-nuri kibadai 黒塗木台) is the original Yakushigama-supplied display piece for this figurine. The figurine sits on its ceramic base, which fits within the wooden stand's bracketed top. Both are included.
Where is Yakushigama based?
Yakushigama is a contemporary Japanese ceramics kiln producing auspicious-figurine work. The figurine was made in Japan.
About ZenKiln
About ZenKiln — A Japan-based curator connecting international collectors with Japan's artisan ceramic tradition. We work closely with the kilns, workshops, and makers featured in our shop — each one disclosed in our About section — and hand-pack every piece in Japan for safe delivery worldwide.
📦 Ships from Japan, hand-packed for safe delivery.
