KOBE (Kyodo) In a first, an ancient clay "haniwa" figurine shaped like a water bird has been discovered in its entirety in a burial mound in Asago, Hyogo Prefecture, researchers said.

According to the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Archaeology of Harima, the clay piece, measuring 48 cm high, 21 cm wide and 44 cm long, dates to the early fifth century.

Haniwa are unglazed clay figures that were buried around the ancient mounds. A total of seven haniwa in water bird form — six of them broken — have been found, museum researchers said.