Tomb Sculptures (Haniwa) and Funerary Rites
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Tomb Sculpture (Haniwa): Boat
Found at the Saitobaru Tumulus No. 170, Miyazaki, Kofun period, 5th century (Important Cultural Property)UpcomingJapanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 20, 2026 (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 | Important Cultural Property | Tomb Sculpture (Haniwa): Boat | Found at the Saitobaru Tumulus No. 170, Miyazaki | Kofun period, 5th century | J-21498 | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Tomb Sculpture (Haniwa): House with Smaller Houses | Found at the Saitobaru Tumulus No. 170, Miyazaki | Kofun period, 5th century | J-34661 | ||
| Highlight | Tomb Sculpture (Haniwa): Waterbird | Found at the alleged tumulus of Emperor Ōjin, Osaka | Kofun period, 5th century | J-6480 | |||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Tomb Sculpture (Haniwa): House | Found in Sakurai City, Nara | Kofun period, 5th century | J-9311 |