miniature japanese terracotta grave figurines - historical artifact ornament set

Love Japanese Style Like We Do

Discover a unique and charming collection of miniature Japanese funerary figures - haniwa - in this one-of-a-kind set. Each tiny piece is delicately handcrafted from terracotta, showcasing remarkable detail and traditional craftsmanship. Perfect for collectors or anyone with a love for Japanese history and art, these figures add a touch of quiet elegance to any decor.

In Japan, the appreciation of miniature objects has deep cultural roots. It’s long been customary to pause and admire the beauty of small things up close. This fascination with the miniature first swept across Japan in the early 17th century, during the Edo period. At that time, the government issued a decree promoting modesty and frugality, which led to a ban on large decorative items considered excessive luxuries. In response, the people of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) found creative ways to craft scaled-down versions of beloved objects - each one just as delightful and intricate as its full-sized counterpart. And so, Japan’s enduring culture of miniatures was born.

Haniwa were originally created during Japan’s Kofun period (250–538 AD) to protect the souls of the deceased and mark the sacred boundaries of their tombs. Rather than being buried, these cylindrical figures were partially embedded in the earth and arranged in rows around burial mounds. The word haniwa combines hani (clay) and wa (circle), reflecting both their material and their ritual placement.

These delightful miniatures are made at a second-generation kiln just north of Tokyo, founded by the Aida family in 1946. Specializing in faithful reproductions of Jomon and Kofun period artifacts, the kiln has upheld its founding philosophy for over 65 years - crafting each figure individually, with great attention to historical detail and traditional methods.

Included in the set are:
- A horse, used in funeral rituals to help guide the soul on its journey.
- An elite woman, representing the living image before death.
- A small armed warrior, guardian of the departed soul.
- A tall and small dancing man performing sacred funeral dances.
- A boar, symbolizing the animals commonly hunted in that era.
- A larger armed warrior, offering stronger spiritual protection.

There's an endearing simplicity to these figures - their naive expressions and stylized forms give them a unique charm. Whether you're a fan of miniatures, Japanese culture, or historical artifacts, this set makes a distinctive addition to any collection and looks wonderful displayed on a small segmented shelf.

- measures - smallest 3.5 cm (1.3”) in height - tallest 7 cm (2.7”) in height.
- total weight - 200 gm.

(listing for 7 piece haniwa set)

SHIPPING INFORMATION
- please read our shipping notes in shipping policy. 
- we use recycle packaging wherever possible and wrap for safety, rather than appearance!

ABOUT OUR VINTAGE ANTIQUE AND OTHER ITEMS
We list pieces we feel are worthy of display. There may be scratches, dents, fading and signs of wear and tear. We try to explain the condition of each item exactly, but may miss something.

Information regarding the item and it’s age is obtained from dealers and our personal research. We do our best to give you the correct information but please be aware that we cannot guarantee this information.

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HANIWA
Haniwa were unglazed earthenware cylinders and hollow sculptures that decorated the surface of the great mounded tombs, built for the Japanese elite during the Kofun period (4th-6th Century AD). The most important of the haniwa were found in southern Honshu, especially the Kinai region around Nara, and northern Kyushu.

Haniwa were erected on the outside surface of the tomb mound rather than buried in the chamber with the deceased as in other parts of the world. Half-embedded in the earth the cylinders stood in rows forming a circle around the mound. The word Haniwa means, hani (clay) and wa (circle). 

The statues were made in a variety of shapes; houses, human figures, animals, military, ceremonial, and farming and household objects. The most common was the simple cylinder, of 40-50 centimetres in diameter and 1 metre in height.

Some haniwa, set on top of the funeral mounds, were thought to be containers for the soul. They were equipped with weapons and armor to drive away evil spirits and protect the buried from calamity. Others were set towards the outside of the grave area and acted as boundary markers for the gravesite. Horse and animal-shaped haniwa were normally neatly arranged into a line, and it is believed that they were part of a sending-off ceremony.

Haniwa were created using the wazumi technique, in which mounds of coiled clay were built up to shape the figure, layer by layer. The tomb sculptures were manufactured from the same iron-bearing clay as household pottery and fired in the same reduced-oxygen atmosphere at low temperatures, producing a warm buff color. Added clay was used for such features as noses, ears, clothing, and ornaments, but the eyes and mouths of human and animal figures were characteristically cut through to the hollow interior. Decorative zigzag, diamond and herringbone motifs were etched into the clay surface. Pigments of red, blue, or white highlighted these patterns, and the faces of many haniwa figures were painted in iron-red pigment with enigmatic designs possibly representing tattoos or unique ritual makeup.

Because haniwa display contemporary clothing, hairstyle, farming tools and architecture, these sculptures are an important archive of the Kofun period.