During the Kofun, or “old tombs” period,” which lasted from 300–552 CE in Japan, enormous mounded tombs were constructed for the elite. While various objects were placed in the tombs with the deceased, clay sculptures called haniwa were placed on top of the mound over the grave. Haniwa are made by hand and come in a great variety of shapes, including human figures, objects, houses, boats, and animals.

Function and meaning of haniwa

The largest kofun burial mound in Japan, which is attributed to Nintoku, a semi-legendary emperor, had over 20,000 haniwa distributed across its surface. Why were haniwa made in so many different shapes and distributed across Kofun burial mounds in such great quantities? What was their significance?

Focus: A haniwa in the Asian Art Musuem, San Francisco

This video answers these questions by looking closely at a haniwa tomb figurine in the shape of a warrior in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco excavated from one of these magnificent tombs.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Japan’s kofun or “old tombs” and haniwa of the Kofun period

1:16 Japanese kofun burial mounds

1:57 Haniwa, “clay cylinders”

2:49 How were haniwa made?

3:39 The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco warrior-shaped haniwa

4:50 Why were haniwa tomb sculptures made?

Main artwork

Haniwa in the Form of a Warrior, Kofun period, 300–552 CE, earthenware, 120.7 x 41.9 cm. Asian Art Museum, San Francisco