5th century wooden ornament found in Japan

A 1,500-year-old wooden ornament known as a tachikazari has been found in a burial mound in Japan.

Tachikazari were installed on the top of parasols, called “kinugasa” (umbrellas), in ancient times. Haniwa are figurines and sculptures made of clay or other materials and placed on kofun.

The ornamental piece was found in Nisanzai Kofun, believed to have been constructed in the latter half of the fifth century, which constitutes a part of the group of kofun burial mounds, collectively called Mozu Kofungun.

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Story: Masayuki Shiraishi, The Asahi Shimbun | Photo: Sakai City Government