mia-japanese-korean: Haniwa of a Female Shrine Attendant, Unknown Japanese, 6th century, Minneapolis
mia-japanese-korean: Haniwa of a Female Shrine Attendant, Unknown Japanese, 6th century, Minneapolis Institute of Art: Japanese and Korean Artstanding female figure with proper left arm bent, hand at side; flat mask like face, adorned by earrings and necklace; ridged dress extends to floor covering legs and feet This haniwa, or clay funerary figurine, represents a female figure. Her necklace of magatama (claw- or fang-shaped jewels of special protective power) tells us that she is a miko, or shrine attendant, a respected position in early Japanese society. Traces of red pigment on her cheeks indicate tattoos or ceremonial face paint. In her original state she most likely wore a wide, flat hairdo that extended over her forehead. Her right arm, although now broken, once held a cup, an indication that she was responsible for preparing medicinal or magical potions.Size: 22 3/8 x 9 ¾ x 8 ½ in. (56.83 x 24.77 x 21.59 cm)Medium: Earthenwarehttps://collections.artsmia.org/art/5371/ -- source link
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