Chugai Toen Co., Ltd. (Seto City, Aichi Prefecture / President: Yasuhiro Suzuki) will hold the "Zodiac Memorial Service," which returns used zodiac figurines to the earth, on February 11, 2026 (Wednesday, National Holiday).
As a manufacturer that produces numerous zodiac figurines every year, Chugai Toen values the spirit of gratitude toward zodiac figurines that have accompanied people's lives and watched over them throughout the year. With this sentiment, since 1990, the company has been holding the "Zodiac Memorial Service" annually on February 11, which is designated as "Zodiac Memorial Day," creating an opportunity to bid farewell to zodiac figurines that have quietly brought comfort to daily life with gratitude, and to connect them to the next cycle.
On the day of the event, the head priest from Hosenji Temple, a famous local temple with deep connections to Chugai Toen and Yakushigama, will serve as the chief priest and carefully perform the memorial service for zodiac figurines. Additionally, as part of resource circulation and environmental consideration initiatives, "Kando (Returning to Earth) Zodiac Horse," reborn using some of the figurines received in previous zodiac memorial services as raw materials, will be sold in limited quantities.
Furthermore, to welcome good fortune for the new year and pray for good health and prosperity of descendants, mochi-pounding and mochi distribution will be conducted using mochi from Seto's long-established Japanese confectionery shop "Miyoshiya Rosen."
*Zodiac Memorial Day: Based on the fact that combining the Chinese characters "十" (ten) and "一" (one) creates "土" (earth), February 11, the first "11th day" after Risshun (the beginning of spring), has been officially recognized as "Zodiac Memorial Day" by the Japan Anniversary Association.
Event Overview
Name: 37th Zodiac Memorial Service
Date and Time: February 11, 2026 (Wednesday, National Holiday)
Reception: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Memorial Service Starts: 11:00 AM
Venue: Zodiac Mound at Chugai Toen Co., Ltd.
Address: 50 Yakushi-cho, Seto City, Aichi Prefecture (8 minutes on foot from Owari-Seto Station on Meitetsu Seto Line)
Items for Memorial Service: Ceramic zodiac figurines
*Only figurines with plastic, strings, and other materials removed.
For those unable to attend on the event day, figurines can be accepted through the following methods:
Reception Period: January 6, 2026 (Tuesday) to February 5, 2026 (Thursday)
Reception Methods:
Shipping Address: Chugai Toen Co., Ltd., Zodiac Memorial Service Department, 50 Yakushi-cho, Seto City, Aichi Prefecture 489-0821
TEL: 0561-82-2354
*Items that can be accepted follow the memorial service items listed in the event overview above.
Limited Sale of "Kando Zodiac Horse"
"Kando Zodiac Horse," reborn by mixing finely pulverized recycled raw materials from figurines received in previous zodiac memorial services with new clay, will be sold in limited quantities.
As part of resource circulation and environmental consideration initiatives through zodiac memorial services, these zodiac figurines are carefully crafted one by one by artisans.
Kando Zodiac Horse
Size: H8.5 x W8.0 x D4.0 (cm)
Price: 500 yen (tax included)
Store: Omodakaya (Address: 3 Yakushi-cho, Seto City, Aichi Prefecture)
Mochi Pounding and Distribution
At Chugai Toen, Zodiac Memorial Day is viewed as an opportunity to express gratitude to zodiac figurines that have completed their role after welcoming the new year, while also welcoming new fortune. On the day, mochi pounding and mochi distribution will be conducted, using mochi prepared by Seto's long-established Japanese confectionery shop "Miyoshiya Rosen," praying for good health and prosperity of descendants with this auspicious item believed to invite good fortune.
Date and Time: February 11, 2026 (Wednesday, National Holiday) from 11:30 AM
*Mochi distribution will end when supplies run out.
Participation Fee: Free
Location: Space in front of STUDIO 894 store (Address: 1 Yakushi-cho, Seto City, Aichi Prefecture)
About Chugai Toen Co., Ltd.
In Seto, a pottery town with over 1,000 years of history and tradition, Chugai Toen has been a ceramic craft manufacturer producing zodiac figurines, lucky cats, and various seasonal decorations under the kiln name "Yakushigama" since its founding in 1952. With the corporate philosophy of "pottery making that touches hearts," the company conducts consistent in-house production from planning and design to manufacturing, selling not only throughout Japan but also widely in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other overseas markets. In recent years, the company has also expanded collaboration products with brands such as "BEAMS JAPAN" and "Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten," as well as with various creators, constantly valuing contemporary sensibilities while working on pottery making to pass on to the next generation.
Additionally, the company operates "STUDIO 894," a pottery painting experience facility with a carefully curated cafe and art gallery; "Maneki Neko Museum," which houses a collection of about 5,000 lucky cats; and "Omodakaya," a shop mainly handling Chugai Toen's lucky figurines and collaboration products with creators. Through various venues and experiences related to Seto pottery, the company continues to communicate the appeal of the region.
Chugai Toen: https://www.chugaitoen.co.jp
STUDIO 894: https://studio894.jp
Maneki Neko Museum: https://luckycat.ne.jp
Omodakaya: https://omodakaya.jp
