This haniwa figurine dates to the sixth century, during Japan’s Kofun period. Made of red earthenware and standing 35 inches tall, this figure likely served symbolic purposes in funerary rituals. Haniwa are clay figures that were placed on or around Kofun burial mounds, evolving from simple cylinders into complex animal and human shapes. The term haniwa, which literally means "clay rings," reflects the method by which they were created—with bands of clay stacked atop each other, layer by layer.

This figure wears a tunic with two bows and has one remaining hoop earring on its left ear. Two round clay pieces near its neck and shoulder are remnants of a necklace. Its characteristic hairstyle and chest protrusions identify the figure as female. The haniwa’s facial features are minimal and tranquil, with only slits for the eyes and mouth. These facial features may have been intentionally designed to convey a serene, protective presence.

The figure’s right arm is raised, hand slightly clenched as if it once held an object; the left arm bends toward its stomach—likely representing a ceremonial dance. The lower half of the haniwa is a basic cylinder with a horizontal band that possibly marks the part of the figure buried in the ground. Above this band, a hole extends through each side of the haniwa, potentially for the insertion of a rope slung through a series of haniwa figures placed in a row. She may represent a miko, or shrine maiden—women thought to have held significant spiritual and political authority during the Kofun period. The figure’s clothing, accessories, and posture appear more intentionally rendered than any individualized facial detail.

What was this figure’s role during the Kofun period? Were these figures meant primarily for the deceased or also for the living community that saw them? Note the detailed clothing and accessories, contrasting simplistic facial features, and distorted proportions. This may suggest that her makers prioritized visibility from a distance—for mourners or onlookers—over naturalistic detail. Although they resist straightforward interpretation, haniwa figures also raise questions that might someday provide answers about Kofun-era society.