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ZenKiln

Lucky Horse Figurine, Yakushigama Ko-Yakushi Crackle Ceramic, 2026

£125.00 GBP £109.00 GBP
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  • Earthenware
  • Made in China

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.

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)

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.

Details & dimensions

Width: ~21.5 cm (8.5"). Depth: ~8 cm (3.1"). Height on stand: ~19 cm (7.5").

The figurine itself sits on a free-form ceramic base; the included black-lacquered oval wooden display stand (kuro-nuri kibadai 黒塗木台) adds the bracketed-feet presentation typical of Japanese auspicious figurines.

Pose: mid-stride standing horse with head turned slightly to the rider's right — Heian / Tang Imperial-horse iconography revived in modern Japanese auspicious-figurine work.

Shipping, duties & delivery

Ships from Japan.

Orders are typically dispatched within 1–3 business days after payment is confirmed.

Estimated delivery times vary by destination and may be affected by customs clearance, public holidays, and local carrier conditions.

Buyers are responsible for any customs duties, VAT, and import taxes that may apply in the destination country.

Packaging & gifting

Includes the original Yakushigama-supplied red lacquered presentation box bearing the octagonal 薬師窯 招福干支 (Yakushi-gama Shōfuku Eto) logo with paulownia-crest and zodiac branding.

The figurine sits on its included black-lacquered oval wooden display stand (kuro-nuri kibadai 黒塗木台) — the bracketed-feet style traditional for Japanese auspicious-figurine display.

Carefully packed for gifting and safe delivery from Japan. Fragile items are additionally packed with protective wrapping and cushioning materials for international delivery. The red box is part of the gift presentation — collectors typically retain it.

Care instructions

For decorative display only.

Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals.

The crackle glaze (kanyū 貫入) is part of the Ko-Yakushi finish and not damage — do not attempt to "repair" or "polish out" the crackle network. The figurine has full structural integrity despite the surface crackle pattern.

Keep out of direct strong sunlight to preserve the painted highlights and the contrast of the iron-spot accents.

The black-lacquered wooden display stand can be wiped with a slightly damp cloth; avoid solvents and waxes.

Returns / damage support

Because many of our items are handmade, fragile, and shipped internationally from Japan, we do not accept returns or exchanges for change of mind, incorrect size expectations, or personal preference unless otherwise stated on the product page.

If your item arrives damaged, defective, or significantly different from the description, please contact us within 7 days of delivery with clear photos of the item and packaging.

Cancellations are accepted within 12 hours of purchase.

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