埴 輪(はにわ)

はにわ

noun

haniwa; clay figure from ancient Japan

1. haniwa; terracotta clay figure

Unglazed terracotta figures that were placed on and around burial mounds (古墳(こふん)) during the Kofun period (3rd–6th century). They depict humans, animals, houses and other objects.

埴輪(はにわ)が出土(しゅつど)した。

Haniwa were excavated.

博物館(はくぶつかん)で馬(うま)の形(かたち)をした埴輪(はにわ)を見(み)た。

I saw a horse-shaped haniwa at the museum.

埴輪(はにわ)は古墳(こふん)時代(じだい)の人々(ひとびと)の暮(く)らしを知(し)る手(て)がかりとなっている。

Haniwa serve as clues to understanding the lives of people in the Kofun period.

Haniwa were set in rows on and around the 古墳(こふん) (burial mounds) of the 古墳(こふん)時代(じだい) (Kofun period).

Types

円筒(えんとう)埴輪(はにわ): cylindrical haniwa (the most numerous)
人物(じんぶつ)埴輪(はにわ): human figures
動物(どうぶつ)埴輪(はにわ): animals, such as horses

Cultural note

The round hollow eyes and open mouths of human haniwa are instantly recognized in Japan and turn up in mascots and cartoons.

Similar words

土偶(どぐう): clay figurine of the much earlier Jomon period — a different object, often confused with haniwa

Related Words

Compare: 土偶(どぐう) (Jomon period clay figurines)

Related: 古墳(こふん)時代(じだい) (Kofun period (c. 250–538 CE))

general

Added 2026.3.22 20:48 · Revised 2026.9.30 22:08

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