Haniwa

Haniwa are terracotta clay figures that were made for ritual use and buried with the dead during the Kofun period (approx. 3rd to 6th centuries AD) in Japan. They were placed around the burial mounds for protection and to mark sacred spaces. These figures often depicted people, animals, houses, and objects, providing insights into the clothing, architecture, and customs of that time. Haniwa are an important part of Japanese cultural heritage and art history, reflecting the spiritual and societal values of ancient Japan.