Mystery No.5 What existed outside kofun? (Haniwa clay figures)

Today trees cover kofun mounds. However, when kofun was constructed, fukiishi paving stones and haniwa clay figures were exposed. Haniwa figures were displayed on the flat surface of kofun. Although most of them are fired clay figures, some wooden figures were also unearthed. Among all types, cylindrical haniwa, which look like construction tubes, was the largest in quantity. They were placed to encircle the mound, representing jar stands which were placed on the tombs during the Yayoi period, prior to the Kofun period. A kind of cylindrical haniwa with flaring mouth symbolized a jar on the stand. There were many cases that a variety of haniwa figures were placed on top of the mound as well as tsukuridashi area made at the border between circle and square parts. Initially, certain objects and creatures, such as houses, sunshades, boats, and birds, appeared. Then, more items including hourses, dogs and human-beings were gradually added. By figuring out the type and creating method, in some cases you can estimate the time of kofun construction. A great number of haniwa figures were found at Mozu Kofungun. They are mostly animals and objects, but only a few human-shaped. At Nisanzai Kofun wooden haniwa was found.

※Those haniwa,except the water bird-shaped,are exhibited at Sakai City Museum.