Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Haniwa

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French version

Haniwa

埴輪
alternative words: Clay ring
keywords: thing
related topics: Kofun period , Tumulus , Nihonshoki
related web sites: http://www.mediajoy.com/chikatsu/cs/cs10.html , http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hao/egg/top.htm
explanation: Unglazed earthenware put around the tumulus during Kofun period. According to Nihonshoki, they may be invented during the reign of Emperor Suinin in order to avoid a human sacrifice by replicating the human figure and put them around the tumulus. But for some scholars, they should have been invented in order to avoid the collapse of a tumulus. Anyway, with a diversity of their forms such as warrior, horse, ship, house etc. they are excellent objects to study the habit of that period.