Tomb Sculptures (Haniwa) and Funerary Rites
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Warrior in "Tanko" Armor, "Haniwa" (Terracotta tomb figurine), Excavated at Kamichujo, Kumagaya-shi, Saitama, Kofun period, 6th century (Important Cultural Property)
Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 18, 2019 (Tue) - December 25, 2020 (Fri)The advent of burial mounds coincided with the emergence of a specific kind of tomb sculpture, called haniwa. These sculptures are assumed to have played an important role in ancient funerary rites, and were a common feature of burial mounds until the practice declined after early societies abandoned the construction of colossal, keyhole-shaped burial mounds. This section of the gallery features house-shaped tomb sculptures, which were the dominant type during the 5th century. The lineup also includes illustrative examples of three other types of tomb sculptures: those in the shapes of weapons and household items, cylindrical sculptures, and wooden sculptures.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Tomb Sculpture ("Haniwa"): Warrior in "Tankō" Armor | Found in Kumagaya City, Saitama | Kofun period, 6th century | J-37057 | On exhibit from December 17, 2019 through June 28, 2020 | |
| Highlight | ”Haniwa” (Terracotta tomb object)Chair | Excavated at Akabori Chausuyama Tumulus, Isesaki-shi, Gunma | Kofun period, 5th century | J-21147 | |||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Tomb Sculpture (”Haniwa”): Boat | Found at Saitobaru Burial Mounds, Miyazaki | Kofun period, 5th century | J-21498 | on exhibit from December 17, 2019 to March 1, 2020 | |
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Tomb Sculpture ("Haniwa"): House with Smaller Houses | Found at Saitobaru Burial Mounds, Miyazaki | Kofun period, 5th century | J-34661 |