Kouros and Haniwa Comparison
Kouros and Haniwa (warrior figure)
Kouros is a Greek statue from 600 BCE standing at 6 1/2 inches tall and
made out of marble. This statue is observed to be nude and emulated an
Egyptian stance. It also was used in funerary purposes and can be seen by the
emotionless expression and lifeless body. The Kouros differed in the way it was
buried, it stood outside of the tomb as a grave marker and replaced huge vases
during the Geometric Era. Not to mention, it was also used for votive offerings in
sanctuaries. The Haniwa warrior figure is from the Gunma Prefecture in Japan from the
Late Kofon Period. It is believed to be from the fifth to mid-sixth century, it stands
at 4 1/2 inches tall and was created from low-fired clay. The figure also appears
to have a deceptively whimsical expression and is in military gear. The Haniwa
was used for burial practices and was located on and around the pit grave
mounds along with being directly on the deceased. The Haniwa had varied
figures from abstract shapes to objects, animals and humans. The statues also
reflected the status of the deceased depending on how many haniwas were
given. The variety of figure types suggest that haniwa functioned not as military
guards but as spiritual barriers protecting both the living and the dead from
contamination. Both artworks served as burial/ funerary purposes. They also were not
real portraits but general representations. Offered to the dead, they remarkably
made an impact on how status and history was told.
Kouros is a Greek statue from 600 BCE standing at 6 1/2 inches tall and
made out of marble. This statue is observed to be nude and emulated an
Egyptian stance. It also was used in funerary purposes and can be seen by the
emotionless expression and lifeless body. The Kouros differed in the way it was
buried, it stood outside of the tomb as a grave marker and replaced huge vases
during the Geometric Era. Not to mention, it was also used for votive offerings in
sanctuaries. The Haniwa warrior figure is from the Gunma Prefecture in Japan from the
Late Kofon Period. It is believed to be from the fifth to mid-sixth century, it stands
at 4 1/2 inches tall and was created from low-fired clay. The figure also appears
to have a deceptively whimsical expression and is in military gear. The Haniwa
was used for burial practices and was located on and around the pit grave
mounds along with being directly on the deceased. The Haniwa had varied
figures from abstract shapes to objects, animals and humans. The statues also
reflected the status of the deceased depending on how many haniwas were
given. The variety of figure types suggest that haniwa functioned not as military
guards but as spiritual barriers protecting both the living and the dead from
contamination. Both artworks served as burial/ funerary purposes. They also were not
real portraits but general representations. Offered to the dead, they remarkably
made an impact on how status and history was told.