Year of Horse 2026: 'Beckoning' Horse Figures by Gangu Kobo

These ceramic ‘gangu’ figures were made at Gangu Kobo in Seto.

To commemorate 2026, the year of the horse, depicted here are ‘beckoning’ horses in Japanese attire.

All are hand painted, and presented on a wooden base with the Gangu Kobo logo.

They are approximately 8.5cm high, and 6cm wide.

About Gangu Kobo / Seto Togeisha

The making of figures is one of the many aspects within ceramic craft in Seto.  Once a major business for export, the Seto Togeisha company focussed instead on the domestic market, and made work for use at Kyoto shrines.  As times changed the family firm adjusted and today, led by the grand-daughter of its founder, works are hand painted and full of colourful expression. Daruma, rabbits, new year’s mochi, snakes, dragons and more appear within a miniature world inspired from Japan’s ‘gangu’ tradition of folk inspired figurines. They are made in the firm’s Gangu Kobo (‘gangu workshop’) with concepts developed by the ceramicist Yusuke Mizuno, and realised by the firm’s craftspeople. Their brushwork imbues gentle expressions to the pieces, and find new representations of tradition, folk craft and belief.