Kofun


 * Kofun Period (200-552 CE)**

The Kofun period of Japan stood for their huge mounded tombs that started out as round than moved towards key-hole shaped style. The two most well known Kofun tombs, found on Kyushu, are those of Emperor Ojin and Nintoku. Nintoku’s tomb sizes about 458 acres and is the larges keyhole tomb. This tomb has three moats around a two lush forest, one in square box and the other in the keyhole shape. This tomb is layered in mounds slowly elevating upwards in kind of a ritualistic altar upon altar. //Haniwa// are “tomb figures.” You can think of //haniwa// as miniature guardians of the tomb. These figurines are scattered all around Kofun tombs and are literally in the thousands in number. They surround the more important areas of the tomb as if marking them off saying “no trespassing.” These tomb figures can be found in various forms including dogs, cats, horses, houses, chickens, boars, fish, cattle, chicken, and many others. Human figures can give us a detailed look on how society could have been including priestesses, musicians, farmers, soldiers, and dancers.
 * Monumental Earthwork Tombs**
 * Haniwa**
 * Bronze Mirrors**

Just like in Chinese culture, bronze mirrors can be found at burial sites in Japanese culture. This indicates to us that there still is the connection between Japanese and the Chinese and a trade of culture. Light within the Asian cultures is considered to dismantle and chase away evil. The polished bronze mirrors help capture the light of the sun as well as various other sources and reflect them outwards. The mirrors would be scattered around the tomb just like the //haniwa// are and are thought to scatter the evil spirits that might harm the deceased.

Stanley-Baker, Joan. __Japanese Art__. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1995.
 * References**