The University of Kansas

Unknown artist (Japan)

Haniwa Warrior Figure, late 5th century
terracotta
Barbara Benton Wescoe Fund, 77.67

Though there was intermittent cultural contact between the Japanese archipelago and the adjacent continent, early Japanese civilization developed in relative cultural isolation. By the middle of the 3rd century C. E. a powerful family of rulers had emerged on the main Japanese island of Honsh_. They began the practice of raising huge burial mounds, culminating in the monumental tombs of the emperors Nintoku and _jin in the 4th-5th centuries. A characteristic feature of these tombs was the haniwa, earthenware sculptures in the form of humans, animals, houses, and other objects on cylindrical bases. The face of the warrior figure haniwa in the Spencer collection is extremely simple in execution, yet there is a sense of warmth and charm in the frank, open expression.