haniwa

Haniwa are terracotta clay figures produced in Japan during the Kofun period (roughly the 3rd to the 6th century CE). They were placed on and around kofun, large earthen burial mounds, and served ritual and commemorative purposes. The figures vary greatly in size and form, ranging from simple cylinders to life-size sculptures.

Common forms include human figures, animals such as horses and boars, architectural models like houses and gates, boats, shields, and weapons. The figures are typically unglazed terracotta, though some were painted with pigments. Many early haniwa are hollow and built up in sections; later pieces may show more detail.

Scholars debate their exact function, but haniwa are generally understood to have protected the deceased, marked the grave site, and reflected the social status or occupation of the person buried there. They likely served as votive offerings, as attendants for the afterlife, or as ceremonial symbols tied to the kofun.

Production was localized in kilns near kofun sites, with workshops producing large quantities of figures for burial complexes. The best-known concentrations are in the Kinai region, especially around Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto. Haniwa appear from the mid-4th century and decline in the late 6th century as burial practices evolved and Buddhist influences spread.

Today, haniwa are important archaeological and cultural artifacts, providing insight into ancient Japanese ritual life, social structure, clothing, weaponry, and daily material culture. Many pieces are housed in museums in Japan and abroad.