Haji ware

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Haji ware (土師器 Hajiki?) is a type of Japanese pottery or earthenware that was made and used in the period between 4th century AD and the Heian period (794-1185 AD). The pots were made mainly for domestic use, though some haji ware has been found in Japanese tombs. [1]

Contents

[edit] History and uses

Japanese earthenware developed in the 4th century AD (during the Tumulus period) from the Yayoi ware of the preceding period. Great amounts of this pottery were produced. Production began in what were then the provinces of Yamato and Kawachi and spread throughout western Japan, eventually reaching the eastern provinces. [2] Haji ware was used mostly in households. However, the pieces that have survived over the years were used as goods in tombs of the Japanese. They were possibly used in some sort of funeral ceremony, which may have involved eating and drinking. Some Haji ware pottery was found in the enormous tombs of the Japanese emperors. By the end of the 5th century, haji pottery was imitating sue ware forms.

Recently, the 2007 survey of the underwater archaeology on Ojika Island by Asian Research Institute of Underwater Archaeology took place and Chinese ceramics and Haji ware was recovered. [3]

[edit] Color

Haji ware is a rust-red pottery. It was usually unglazed, and was just made and fired. It was fired at temperatures below 1000° C in surface fires or oxidizing fires rather than kilns. It is usually described as low-fired reddish-clay pottery. [4]

[edit] Shape and style

Haji ware resembles Yayoi pottery, but has been made into many different shapes. Some of the types include pots, bowls, and even some figures, which were most oftenly placed in tombs. Sometimes, they were placed outside the tomb to guard it. Many of the figures incude houses, boats, animals, women, hunters, musicians, and warriors.[5] One pot that was found at an archaeological site in Hachiōji, Tokyo has a globular body, averted mouth, rounded base, solid triangular handle, painted in dark grey pigment on one side with a human face painted on the front. This is one pot that did not keep its red color. It was probably glazed. Most of the Haji ware pottery is undecorated and has wide rims.

[edit] References

  1. ^ L. Smith, V. Harris and T. Clark, Japanese art: masterpieces in (London, The British Museum Press, 1990) <http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/h/haji_ware_standing_bowl_tazza.aspx>.
  2. ^ “haji ware." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 23 Mar. 2008 <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9038831>.
  3. ^ Mansion , Chisan. "Topics & Information." Asian Research Institute of Underwater Archaeology. 24 Aug. 2007. 23 Mar. 2008 <http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~uwarchae/english-index.htm>.
  4. ^ "Haji-Ware Bowl." Artfact. 1 2008. 23 Mar. 2008 <http://www.artfact.com/catalog/viewLot.cfm?lotCode=15VZH1B5>.
  5. ^ "Pottery," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007 http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2007 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Languages