A History of Japanese Coffins | When Did Cremation Begin in Japan?

When did cremation begin in Japan? What did coffins look like in ancient times? Let's explore the surprisingly rich history of burial culture in Japan.

Jomon and Yayoi Periods: The Beginnings of Burial

The earliest traces of burial in Japan date back approximately 30,000 years to the Paleolithic era.

During the Jomon period, flexed burial (kusso) was the standard practice. The body was placed in a fetal position with the knees bent. Some scholars believe this was meant to prevent the spirit of the dead from returning, while others suggest it was simply a practical way to dig smaller graves.

In the Yayoi period, jar burials (kamekan) became widespread, particularly in northern Kyushu. The body was placed inside a large ceramic jar for burial — one of the earliest forms of a "coffin" in Japan.

Kofun Period: Monumental Coffins for the Powerful

During the Kofun period (late 3rd to 7th century), massive burial mounds — kofun — were built for the ruling class.

Coffins in this era came in several forms:

• Stone coffins (sekkan): Carved from stone, highly durable, reserved for those in power
• Wooden coffins (mokkan): Hollowed from logs, more widely used
• Ceramic coffins (tokan): Made of pottery, found mainly in the Kinki region

Common people still relied on simple earth burials. Owning a coffin was itself a mark of status.

Asuka and Nara Periods: The Arrival of Cremation

The first recorded cremation in Japan took place in 700 CE, when the Buddhist monk Dosho was cremated.

Cremation arrived alongside Buddhism from China, but initially it was limited to monks and aristocrats. For most people, earth burial remained the norm — and would stay that way for centuries.

Heian to Kamakura Periods: Cremation and Burial Side by Side

During the Heian period, cremation gained popularity among the aristocracy, though earth burial continued in parallel.

A distinctive coffin style of this era was the seated coffin (zakan) — a round, barrel-shaped container in which the body was placed in a seated position. This carried Buddhist significance, evoking the posture of Zen meditation.

Seated coffins remained in use all the way through the Edo period.

Edo Period: The Common People and Their Coffins

The Edo period saw the greatest diversity in burial practices among ordinary people.

Seated Coffins (Barrel Coffins)

The most common coffin in the Edo period was the seated coffin (also called oke-kan or hayaoke). These round wooden barrels were roughly 60 cm in diameter and 90 cm tall. The body was placed inside in a seated, knees-to-chest position.

The Japanese word "kan-oke" (棺桶, literally "coffin-barrel") originates from this barrel-shaped design.

Lying Coffins

Wealthier samurai and merchants sometimes used lying coffins (nekan) — rectangular containers similar to modern coffins, in which the body could lie flat.

Cremation vs. Earth Burial

Cremation rates varied widely by region during the Edo period. In Edo (Tokyo), cremation was relatively common, but rural areas largely practiced earth burial. The shogunate even issued orders banning cremation on several occasions, citing problems with smoke and odor.

Meiji to Showa: Cremation Goes Nationwide

The Meiji government banned cremation in 1873, but reversed the ban just two years later in 1875 for sanitary reasons. From that point on, cremation spread rapidly across the country.

From the Meiji period onward, lying coffins became the standard. Influenced by Western culture, seated coffins gradually disappeared.

Today, Japan's cremation rate stands at 99.97% (as of 2023) — the highest in the world.

Modern Coffins

Modern coffins in Japan are typically made from these materials:

• Wooden coffins: Paulownia, cypress, or cedar. The most common type
• Cloth-covered coffins: A wooden frame covered with fabric. Relatively affordable
• Eco-coffins: Made from cardboard or recycled materials for environmental sustainability

Standard dimensions are roughly 180–195 cm long and 50–65 cm wide, designed to fit cremation furnace specifications.

Coffins and Modern Meditation

Historically, coffins were for the dead. But in recent years, a new idea has emerged: using coffins as spaces for the living.

At かんおけin, a meditation space in Takadanobaba, Tokyo, you can experience 30 minutes of meditation inside a real coffin. By placing yourself in a space associated with death, you paradoxically become more aware of what it means to be alive.

Knowing the history of coffins may add a new layer of depth to the experience.

Summary

The history of Japanese coffins is, in many ways, a history of how Japanese people have thought about life and death.

Through centuries of change, the coffin has evolved from a vessel for the dead into a space for self-reflection. That, too, is a new chapter in the history of the coffin.