haniwa

[ hah-nee-wah ]

noun

, plural ha·ni·wa.

1. any of the terra-cotta models of people, animals, and houses from the Yayoi period of Japanese culture.

Word History and Origins

Origin of haniwa¹

1965–70; < Japanese, earlier faniwa, equivalent to fani red clay + wa wheel

Example Sentences

Gyroids are inspired by Japanese funereal objects called haniwa, which can be shaped as both people and animals, and are sometimes thought to be containers for souls.

From The Verge

Among the earliest pieces is a sixth-century clay head of a female haniwa, or burial figure, with bright slashes of rouge on her cheeks.

From New York Times

"There was a push in the US towards Stem – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – and she's interested in science and math, so I wanted her to have the exposure," said her mother, Haniwa Gottlieb.

From The Guardian

Most probably it was limited to some simple designs drawn on household utensils, haniwa or terracotta-making, and to an orchestra of rudimentary instruments.

From Project Gutenberg

The most popular item, which Rockefeller says has drawn 1,000 orders, is one of the least expensive: a $75 reproduction in unglazed clay of a Haniwa head, modeled in Japan sometime in the 5th to 7th centuries.

From Time Magazine Archive