Haniwa Dancers: 1,500-year-old ghostly figurines thought to hold the souls of the dead

By Kristina Killgrove published September 1, 2025



Two cylindrical clay sculptures may represent dancers who performed at a funeral 1,500 years ago.


The "Dancing People" haniwa were found in an ancient cemetery near Tokyo. (Image credit: Leopold von Ungern / Alamy)

During the Kofun period (300 to 710) of Japanese history, people buried the dead in large mounds with many grave goods. Scattered around the mounds were objects called "haniwa" — clay cylinders topped with clay figures, used in offerings for the dead.

The Dancing People haniwa are especially striking because of their simplicity. Their mouths and eyes are holes, which make them appear to be wide open. Their arms are stick-like, and their upper bodies end in a cylinder base below a thin belt. Their curving arms and open mouths have led some researchers to conclude they are singers or dancers.

More:
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/haniwa-dancers-1-500-year-old-ghostly-figurines-thought-to-hold-the-souls-of-the-dead