Haniwa: Kofun period, 6th century ce. Earthenware
Womb World mandala: Heian period, late 9th century ce. Hanging Scroll
Detail of Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace: Kamakura period, late 13th century ce. Handscroll
In Japan, when an emperor died, large chamber tombs were constructed. The Japanese government has never allowed the major sacred tombs to be excavated. Some of these sites had artificial hills built over the tombs themselves. On the top the hills were placed ceramic works of sculpture called haniwa. …
