Currently on Display 18: Haniwa Shield-Bearer, Kofun Period, 6th Century, Tokyo National Museum

In this article, I will introduce the Haniwa Shield-Bearer that you can currently see at the Tokyo National Museum👇

This piece is a human haniwa created in the 6th century during the Kofun period, excavated from the Nenpo area of Ota City, Gunma Prefecture, and is currently housed at the Tokyo National Museum👇

For this haniwa as well, we will begin our viewing from the head down👇

First, a headpiece is depicted on the very top of the figure👇
This headpiece takes the shape of a round cylinder, tapering slightly and gently as it goes upward.

Next, let's focus on the face below the headpiece👇

On the upper part of the face, the eyebrows and nose are expressed in three dimensions👇
The eyebrows and nose are connected, forming the shape of the letter 'T'.

To the left and right of the nose, holes have been pierced in a shape close to a horizontal oval👇
Through this, the two eyes are represented.
Also, below the nose, the mouth is expressed using the same method of opening a hole.
The mouth is opened wider vertically than the eyes, showing a shape as if it were speaking.

Then, two large ears grow from the left and right sides of the head👇
Round ring-shaped ornaments hang from the ears.
These ears, which stand out due to their size and the presence of accessories, appear to represent a state of vigilance against the footsteps of intruders.

Below this head, the torso takes the shape of a simple round cylinder👇
No details of clothing are confirmed on this torso.
On the other hand, there are round holes on the sides of this torso.
Furthermore, four horizontal band-like parts surround the torso section at intervals.

Due to the presence of these round holes and multiple band-like parts, it can be said that the torso section is clearly made in the form of a cylindrical haniwa👇

Fin-like parts are attached to the left and right of the torso section👇

These fin-like parts seem to be the result of a transformation of the part representing a shield.
In shield-bearer type haniwa, examples are confirmed where a large shield is held in front of the torso section below the neck👇
It is considered that the fin-like parts recognized in the shield-bearer haniwa featured here are what happens when this large shield merges with the human figure, causing the left and right parts to protrude from the sides of the main body.

In this way, the shield-bearer haniwa clearly demonstrates through its form the role of a guard who listens for sounds with large ears to remain vigilant, and also holds a shield to deflect attacks from evil things and prevent intruders.

👇I would appreciate it if you could also watch this video related to the 'Haniwa Exhibition'.