Haniwa
Haniwa is a type of earthenware made to be placed on the kofun (tumuli) tombs during the Kofun era. It was made in various shapes, including cylinders, people and animals.
Haniwa is a type of earthenware made of clay which was created to line up on the kofun (tumuli) tombs. The origin of Haniwa is said to have been during the late Yayoi era. Haniwa were used as ceremonial vessel stands, offered at the graves of the leaders of the Kibi district. Following this, Haniwa that were modelled after houses, people, animals and tools began to appear.
There are several theories on how Haniwa were created, but the cylindrical Haniwa is said to have served as a protective barrier when arranged in certain areas. There are also theories that the figurative Haniwa represents either the reproduction of one’s lifetime or a ritual of succession to the throne.
There is a description of Haniwa in the history book, Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan). During this time, burials were carried out and the guardians of the Emperor (known as the Great King at the time) were buried alive with the intent that they would serve in the afterlife. However, Emperor Suinin thought this was too cruel and banned the custom. An individual that went by the name of Nomi no Sukune proposed that instead of burying people, Haniwas were burned to be completed, and placed within the burial mound. This practice was adopted; however, there are records of the cylindrical Haniwa having appeared earlier than Haniwa figures. Furthermore, the practice of (living) human burial in Japan has not been confirmed.
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Past Exhibitions
| Title | shusai | Place | open | close |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 朝霞市博物館 | 2002/5/8 | 2002/7/5 | ||
| 堺市博物館 | 2005/10/4 | 2005/12/4 | ||
| 奈良県立橿原考古学研究所附属博物館 | 2011/2/5 | 2011/3/21 | ||
| 奈良文化財研究所 飛鳥資料館 | 2005/8/2 | 2005/8/31 | ||
Institutions Holding Related Materials
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奈良県橿原市に所在。県内から出土した古墳の埴輪が展示されている。
群馬県高崎市に所在。保渡田古墳群から出土した埴輪や当時を再現した模型が展示されている。
千葉県横芝光町に所在。芝山古墳群から出土した埴輪を展示している。埴輪列が原位置を保った稀有な例。
大阪府高槻市に所在。史跡今城塚古墳を整備、埴輪群が復元されている。
大阪府高槻市に所在。日本最大級の埴輪生産遺跡で、同じく高槻市の今城塚古墳の埴輪も製作されていた。
古墳・埴輪に特化した博物館。バーチャルミュージアムで埴輪の種類や意味が解説されている。
