The sculpture represents an armored and helmeted warrior as he reaches for his sword. Originally, it would have guarded the burial mound of an important person. In early Japan,clay sculptures in a variety of forms were placed around graves to protect the deceased and to help hold together the earth. Hundreds, or even thousands, of individual figures might surround each tomb. These sculptures are called Haniwa,meaning “circle of clay.” Haniwa ceramics have been found in many different forms, including humans, horses, dogs, and inanimate objects such as houses and ships.
This warrior figure is particularly appropriate for a sentinel. Composed primarily of simple geometric shapes, this figure is typical of Japanese sculpture of the time. The warrior is highly stylized and unrealistically proportioned, with arms that seem too thin and too short. His face is masklike, with slits for the eyes and mouth and a straight ridge for the nose. The stiff militant stance and alert expression emphasize his role as guardian of the deceased. Since the warrior was intended to be seen outdoors and from a distance, the artist did not need to select the highest quality of clay or to embellish the figure with elaborate detail.
Japan has a long and continuous tradition of ceramic arts. Haniwa figures were made from coarse clay using simple techniques. The clay was kneaded into long strands, which were arranged in spirals to form the rough shape of the figure. Although the outside of the sculpture was smoothed by hand, the coils of clay remain visible on the inside. While the clay was still wet, clothing and accessories were added to the figure and decorative details were cut or scratched into the surface. Additional features were attached after the sculpture had dried sufficiently to be handled.
These hollow Haniwa figures required relatively little clay and readily withstood the firing process—important considerations since it was usually necessary to make large numbers of sculptures in a very short time. Unglazed, the figures were often painted. This warrior retains traces of pigment that are easily seen despite centuries of exposure to the elements.
The powerful clans that dominatedJapanese society at this time began erecting huge burial mounds that would equip the deceased for the afterlife. By the early 5th century, these mounds had grown to massive proportions. However, the introduction of Buddhism in about the 6th century brought with it the custom of cremation and the development of new sculpture traditions. The creationof Haniwa figures gradually declined and eventually disappeared. Yet the culture that had created these sculptures continued, and the same sense of form embodied in Haniwa figures recurs throughout Japanese art.
