Archaeologists Unearth 1,500-Year-Old Figurine Depicting Mysterious Female Shaman in Japan
The find offers new clues about Kofun-period ritual life and women’s status, with the 41-centimeter figure showing red pigment and ceremonial details.
- Archaeologists at the Nishikaminomiya archaeological site in central Japan have unearthed a 1,500-year-old miko haniwa, a terracotta figurine representing a female shaman, discovered in a moat at Tumulus No.
- Haniwa are unglazed terracotta figures placed on burial mounds during the Kofun period, spanning approximately 250 to 600 AD, an era characterized by elaborate burial traditions and indigenous spiritual beliefs before Buddhism's adoption.
- Standing approximately 41 centimeters tall, the figure retains fine details including a Kofun Shimada hairstyle, a bracelet, and traces of red pigment, while holding a rod-shaped ritual implement in its left hand.
- This discovery represents one of the earliest anthropomorphic haniwa found in Gunma Prefecture, suggesting that female ritual practitioners held significant status within Kofun society's social and ceremonial hierarchy.
- The figurine is currently on public display at the Gunma Prefectural Museum of History, where it remains available for viewing from October 28 through November 30.
12 Articles
12 Articles
1,500-year-old female shaman figurine discovered in Japan
Archaeologists excavating a burial mound in Japan's Gunma Prefecture have discovered a 1,500-year-old clay figurine depicting a female shaman, providing new insights into religious practices during the Kofun period. This content was originally published on www.heritagedaily.com - © 2023 - HeritageDaily
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A 1,500-year-old statuette representing a priestess was discovered in Japan. This discovery sheds new light on the religious practices of the Kofun period.
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