Haniwa Dancers: 1,500-year-old ghostly figurines thought to hold the souls of the dead

Two cylindrical human-like terracotta figurines against a grey background.

QUICK FACTS

Name: Haniwa Dancers

What it is: Clay tubes topped with clay sculptures

Where it is from: Japan

When it was made: Sixth century

During the Kofun period (300 to 710) of Japanese history, people buried the dead in large mounds with many grave goods. Scattered around the mounds were objects called "haniwa" — clay cylinders topped with clay figures, used in offerings for the dead.