The World of Animal Haniwa (Terracotta Tomb Figurines)

Animals depicted as haniwa (terracotta tomb figurines) present a wide variety of types, such as cockerels, aquatic birds, hawks, horses, dogs, wild boars, deer, cattle, monkeys, flying squirrels, and fish. However, these are only a small portion of the diversity of animals that inhabited Japan at the time the haniwa were made. People of the Kofun period (ca. 3rd century - ca. 7th century) chose particular species as subjects of haniwa, presumably with a specific intention.

From the second half of the 5th century onward, haniwa were often arranged on kofun burial mounds to represent daily scenes, with animal- and human-shaped haniwa placed to face each other or to stand in line. By studying the placements and combinations along with the characteristics of the individual haniwa, we can see several typical patterns in the use of animal haniwa. Through introducing animal haniwa and comparing them with small figures of humans and animals on decorated Sue stoneware, this exhibition looks into the stories and meanings possessed by animal haniwa.