Shamanism / 05miko3



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05miko3

The haniwa pottery figure on the left is of a female shaman, excavated from a great tomb in Okawamura, Gunma prefecture and probably dating from the 4-5th centuries. It seems very similar to the second haniwa figure described in Catalpa Bow on p. 105: "[she] wears the same board-like head-dress and is likewise decked with must be a ritual attire of jewels. Ear-rings dangle from her ears, and round her neck is a tight string of mysterious comma-shaped jewels, magatama, so ubiquitous and so magically powerful in ancient Japan. Across her right shoulder she wears a broad sash decorated with a pattern of triangles. Her right hand resting on her cheek, her left outstretched, she would appear to be caught in the midst of a ritual dance. Her face too wears an expression of extraordinary concentration and peace."

What would you guess the figure above on the right and the one below represent? Would you guess them to be earlier or later than the haniwa female shaman?