Art Institute of Chicago

Hen

Japan

Date

6th century

Medium

Earthenware

Culture

Japan

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

This hen was modeled somewhat simply, but very effectively. Comb marks along her body suggest feathers, and the features of her face and comb were made with simple tools or by hand. The hen’s body is actually one slab of clay that was folded to form the tail section. Many other haniwa in the shape of birds—such as waterfowl, swans, and hens—with similar simple execution but great sensitivity and expressiveness have been excavated, largely in the Kantô region. This piece was unearthed in Tochigi prefecture and was once in the well-known private collection of Okura Hisashi (1892–1960).

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