*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

This listing is for a vintage Kanuma kibigara zaiku horse made around 20-30 years ago by Aoki Yukio.  Kanuma kibigara zaiku translates as ‘stalk handicrafts from Kanuma’ in Tochigi Prefecture.  The horse in this listing is made of millet straw and was most likely made to commemorate the Year of the Horse back in either 1990 or 2002.  It comes with its original paper storage box as well as a Japanese language profile paper about Aoki and kibigara zaiku. 

Aoki Yukio was the second generation master of Kibigara Kobo broom shop located in Kanuma, Tochigi Prefecture.  The first generation established the family workshop almost 180 years ago made brooms out of millet straw.  Over the years the demand for handmade brooms had declined drastically, so he began making zodiac animals from leftover straw.  In 1962 the second generation decided to create a series of small animal figures to sell as souvenirs during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.  They proved highly popular and business soon picked up again.  Aoki was the winner of the Folk Crafts Category of the 6^th National Tourism Souvenir Exhibition, and his work was selected for the 7^th and 25^th Japanese Folk Art Exhibition.  His work received recognition from the All-Japan Recommended Souvenir Review Committee in commemoration of the Tokyo Olympic Games, and he received the Grand Prize of the Local Toys Category at the 17^th Japanese Folk Art Exhibition.  He also received the Grand Prize of the Local Toys Category at the 19^th, 20^th and 22^nd Japanese Folk Art Exhibition.  At the 24^th, 25^th and 26^th Japanese Folk Art Exhibition he received the Excellence Award in the Local Toys Category, and at the 34^th exhibition he received the Outstanding Performance Award.  The family business is now in its third generation and headed by Yukio’s daughter, Masugata Sanae.  She studied under her father and grandfather and has a strong passion to carry on this otherwise extinct traditional craft.  The straw comes from organic farms, and is grown by her and a few other farmers in the local community.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.                                                                                                                                   

Sizes

Paper Box:  H.4.4cm (1.7”) x 10cm (3.9”) x 8.4cm (3.3”)

Horse:  H.8.5cm (3.3”) x L.8.7cm (3.4”) x W.2.2cm (0.8)                                                          

Condition

It’s in very good condition and was most likely packed away and never displayed.             

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.