During the Yamato period, these artisans worked chiefly on soil-related matters, such as creating haniwa, constructing tombs and kofun, and handling other civil engineering.
They were engaged in constructing the tombs of high-ranking people as well as managing the funeral ceremonies of the ōkimi ("great lords").
[1] The Haji clan claims descent from Ame-no-hohi, the second son of Amaterasu, which makes them relatives of the Japanese Imperial Family.
[4][5][6][7] The clan takes its name from haji (土師), a shift from older hani-shi, from 埴 (hani, "red clay", such as used to make terracotta) + 師 (-shi, a Chinese-derived suffix appended to indicate "master" of a craft).
In Japanese mythology, the name was given to the founder of the clan, Nomi no Sukune by Emperor Suinin after he crafted haniwa for the burial of Empress Hibasuhime.