This charming clay horse is a handcrafted haniwa (ancient Japanese clay figure) made by Sakai Minato-yaki kiln master (堺湊焼) Tsushio Kichiemon (津塩吉右衛門). Inspired by the unearthed haniwa artifacts near the Nintoku Emperor's tomb in Sakai City, Osaka, this piece recreates the image of a naked haniwa horse, a rare type uncovered in this region. Unlike the more common haniwa horses equipped with decorative harnesses, the ones excavated here depict a simple, unadorned form — a pure symbol of ancient pastoral life.
Tsushio Kichiemon is the 15th generation (第十五代) of the 吉右衛門 (Kichiemon) line associated with 湊焼 / 本湊焼 (Minato-yaki / Hon-Minato-yaki). He works (or worked) in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, in the Nishiminato / Minato (西湊町 / 湊焼窯元) area. It is said that potters from Kyoto (including someone named Ueda 吉右衛門 / 吉左エ門) moved to Sakai and established kilns here. At its height, there were many kilns in the area, including the main Minato-yaki ones, and production was not limited to utilitarian wares but extended to decorative and folk craft pieces.
Over time, the number of active kilns declined. By the mid‑20th century (Showa era), Minato-yaki became much less common; only the Tsushio family remained actively producing.
This clay horse retains a raw, rustic charm, evoking the ancient spirit of Kofun-period Japan. The artisan has named this work "Sakai" (左海) as a nod to its regional identity. A meaningful gift for collectors of Japanese folk crafts, history lovers, or anyone who appreciates the beauty of simple, ancient forms.
