Haniwa Explained: Japan’s Ancient Clay Figures from the Kofun Period

In this video, we explore the ancient clay figures known as haniwa, which were placed on and around ancient Japanese burial mounds during the Kofun period (ca. 250–600 CE). From simple cylinders to elaborate representations of people, animals, houses, and weapons, these figures offer invaluable insights into early Japanese material culture, society, and funerary customs. We’ll look at the different types of haniwa from the collection of the Tokyo National Museum, discuss how they were made and used, and what they might have meant to the people of ancient Japan. Support the channel:   / francitalksjapaneseart   https://ko-fi.com/francitalksjapanese... Find me on Instagram:   / francitalksjapanesearthistory   Sources and further reading: Tsuji Nobuo, History of Art in Japan, Columbia University Press, 2019 Penelope Mason, History of Japanese Art (2nd edition), Pearson College Div , 2004 Conrad Totman, A History of Japan (2nd Edition), Wiley-Blackwell, 2005 若狭 徹, もっと知りたいはにわの世界―古代社会からのメッセージ, 東京美術 , 2009 Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:00 Early haniwa 03:30 House shaped haniwa, arms and armour haniwa 06:59 People haniwa: warrior, priestess 10:31 Dancing people haniwa and horse haniwa 13:16 Haniwa's meanings #japanesearthistory #haniwa #kofun #japanesehistory