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Haniwa (Hollow Clay Sculpture) of a Shaman

5th–early 6th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 223
The oldest known haniwa have been unearthed from a third-century tomb in Nara Prefecture. Haniwa first developed in funerary rituals of that time, from earthenware vessels placed atop burial mounds. The head on view demonstrates the form’s evolution into coil-built clay sculptures. Haniwa grew increasingly diverse—depicting houses and animals, and later complex human figures—before receding in the seventh century with the rise of Buddhism.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 埴輪　頭部
  • Title:
    Haniwa (Hollow Clay Sculpture) of a Shaman
  • Period:
    Kofun period (ca. 300–710)
  • Date:
    5th–early 6th century
  • Culture:
    Japan
  • Medium:
    Earthenware with painted, incised, and applied decoration (Kanto region)
  • Dimensions:
    H. 15 7/8 in. (40.3 cm); W. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm); D. 4 in. (10.2 cm)
  • Classification:
    Sculpture
  • Credit Line:
    The Harry G. C. Packard Collection of Asian Art, Gift of Harry G. C. Packard, and Purchase, Fletcher, Rogers, Harris Brisbane Dick, and Louis V. Bell Funds, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, and The Annenberg Fund Inc. Gift, 1975
  • Object Number:
    1975.268.413
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Haniwa (Hollow Clay Sculpture) of a Warrior

5th–early 6th century
Haniwa (hollow clay sculpture) of a boar
5th century
Masked Haniwa Figure
Accession Number: 1975.268.416
Haniwa Head of Deer
5th century
Shino Teabowl with Bridge and House, known as “Bridge of the Gods” (Shinkyō)
late 16th century

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