Haniwa
Haniwa are unglazed, hollow clay artifacts that were placed around burial mounds, primarily during Japan's Kofun period, which spanned from approximately 300 to 710 CE. These artifacts fall into two main categories: cylindrical haniwa, characterized by simple tubular shapes, and figure haniwa, which represent various forms including humans, animals, buildings, and items of significance. Human figures often depict warriors, farmers, and women in traditional attire, while animal representations include horses, boars, and birds. The architectural figures can resemble residences and warehouses, demonstrating intricate roof designs like gables and hips.
The origins of haniwa are believed to trace back to offering stands from the previous Yayoi period, although their exact purpose remains uncertain. As the Kofun period progressed, the design and construction of haniwa evolved in tandem with the development of burial mounds. By the fifth and sixth centuries, new techniques and styles emerged, influenced by Korean pottery methods. Haniwa were systematically arranged on burial mounds, transitioning from circular or rectangular formations to placement at the entrances of horizontally styled tombs. These artifacts provide insight into the cultural and social practices of ancient Japan, reflecting the beliefs and customs surrounding death and the afterlife.
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Haniwa
Related civilization: Kofun period, Japan.
Date: fourth-seventh centuries c.e.
Locale: Japan
Haniwa
Haniwa (HAH-nee-wah) are the unglazed hollow clay artifacts placed around the burial mounds for the elite, most of which were constructed during the Kofun period (c. 300-710 c.e.). Haniwa fall into two categories: cylindrical haniwa, which have simple tubular shapes, and figure haniwa, which take the shape of humans, animals, buildings, and goods. The human figures include warriors, farmers, and females in formal attire. The animals include horses, boars, deer, monkeys, chickens, waterfowl, eagles, and fish. The buildings include residences with windows and entrances and windowless warehouses. The types of roofs included hip, gable, and hip and gable. Goods included hats, swords, halberds, armors, ships, and talismanic shields. The general belief is that cylindrical haniwa developed from offering stands used in the Yayoi period; however, their purpose or use remains unknown.
The shapes of haniwa and the techniques used to make them changed as the burial mounds developed during the Kofun period. Halberds and chicken-shaped haniwa began to appear along cylinders and houses during the fourth century. Horses, deer, and humans were added in the fifth century and became popular during the sixth century. During the early fifth century, the Sue ware technique from Korea was introduced, changing the techniques used to make traditional reddish Haji ware. Until the sixth century, haniwa were arranged systematically at the top of the burial mound in a rectangular or circular arrangement and in a line along the shoulder and middle or bottom slopes. When the horizontal-style tombs developed during the sixth century, figure haniwa were placed at the entrances.
Bibliography
Imamura, Keiji. Prehistoric Japan. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1996.
Miki, Fumio. Haniwa. Translated by Gina Lee Barnes. Arts of Japan 8. New York: Weatherhill, 1974.