Tomb Sculptures (Haniwa) and Funerary Rites
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Tomb Sculpture (Haniwa): Gabled House (Ceremonial Structure)
Found at the Shiroishi Inariyama Tumulus, Gunma, Kofun period, 5th centuryJapanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 22, 2025 (Tue) - September 28, 2025 (Sun)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 | Tomb Sculpture ("Haniwa"): Visored Helmet | Found at the Saitobaru Burial Mound No. 169, Miyazaki | Kofun period, 5th century | J-34666 | |||
| Highlight | Tomb Sculpture ("Haniwa"): Armor | Found at the Kyōnozuka Tumulus, Miyagi | Kofun period, 5th century | J-6423 | |||
| Highlight | Tomb Sculpture ("Haniwa"): Gabled House (Ceremonial Structure) | Found at the Shiroishi Inariyama Tumulus, Gunma | Kofun period, 5th century | J-22042 | |||
| Highlight | Lid | Reportedly found at the Tomb of Emperor Ōjin, Osaka | Kofun period, 5th century | J-6490 |