Non-Western Art: Japanese Haniwa

 What is Haniwa?

    

   Haniwa is used to refer to the hollow clay sculpting, a big part of Japanese art culture. Early Haniwas were simply just clay cylinders. Which later progressed to clay sculptures of animals, houses, and even Japenese warriors. They were commonly used in burial ceremonies by being placed on top of the burial tomb.

House-shaped Haniwa by an Unknown Artist (6th Century). Made in Japan

Haniwa (Hollow Clay Sculpture) of a Warrior by an Unknown Artist (5th Century). Made in Japan.

Haniwa Horse by an Unknown Artist (c. 300-645). Made in Japan

I selected these works because I thought they were very interesting and intriguing to observe. Especially looking back on how much the art of sculpting has evolved from way back then. The texture of these Haniwa pieces is very rough and gritty compared to how polished we can make our sculptures today. However, for not having the sculpting knowledge that exist today it is very amazing to see how well done some of these haniwa sculptures are. The fact that the first to sculptures seem to be crafted with a redder clay than the last one of the haniwa horse also catches my eye. Haniwa's were so simple, yet very impressive sculptures.

“Haniwa (Hollow Clay Sculpture) of a Warrior.” Metmuseum.org, 2020, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/44833.

Shirai, Yoko Hsueh. “Haniwa Warrior (Article) | Japan.” Khan Academy, 2021, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-asia/art-japan/kofun-period/a/haniwa-warrior.