The Tokyo National Museum is hosting a special exhibition titled ‘Haniwa: Tomb Sculptures of Japan’ from October 16 to December 8, 2024, in its Heiseikan galleries. Marking the 50th anniversary of the ‘Warrior in Keikō Armor’ being designated as a National Treasure, this exhibit is the first of its kind in five decades to showcase haniwa on such an extensive scale. The transportation of precious cargo like the haniwa artworks requires meticulous care, and air transport plays a vital role in ensuring the safe and efficient movement of these valuable items.
Haniwa are fragile, hollow clay structures dating back to Japan’s Kofun period (300–538 CE). They boast intricate designs and shapes, including animals, humans, and abstract forms, making them highly valuable and culturally significant. However, their fragility and sensitivity to temperature and humidity fluctuations present unique transportation challenges.
To address these challenges, air transport provides customised solutions. Haniwa are packaged in specially designed cases and containers to prevent movement and shock. Climate-controlled storage maintains consistent temperature (15-20 °C) and humidity levels (50-60%). Secure transit environments, dedicated cargo compartments, and GPS tracking ensure the artefacts’ safety.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) classifies haniwa as “high-value” cargo, requiring specialised handling and transportation procedures. Airlines adhere to IATA’s Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR) and Time and Temperature Working Group (TTWG) standards. Collaborating with museums, cultural institutions, and logistics providers, airlines conduct risk assessments and develop customised transportation plans.
Trained personnel handle loading, unloading, and transit procedures. Successful haniwa transport examples include the Tokyo National Museum’s exhibition at the British Museum (2019), the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s acquisition from Japan (2018), and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture’s exhibition (2020).
Airlines adhere to these guidelines, utilising customised packaging and climate-controlled storage to safeguard fragile cargo like haniwa. Specialised services focus on handling delicate cultural assets and providing expert management, tracking, and high-security transit environments.
These services guarantee the safe arrival of invaluable artefacts at exhibition destinations, underscoring air transport’s capability to preserve cultural heritage. Beyond cultural artefacts, air transport excels in shipping pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, and perishable goods.
Source: ANA Cargo/ LinkedIn
PRIO ART, an ANA product, offers specialised transportation services for delicate cargo such as artwork and musical instruments, ensuring their safe and secure handling. Tailored measures, like shock prevention and secure storage in locked areas, maintain shipment quality. Notable projects include transporting valuable items for the “Edo and Beijing – Cities and Urban Life in the 18th Century” exhibition at the Edo-Tokyo Museum.The service also features flexible handling for shock prevention and is supported by a comprehensive range of routes and facilities to ensure reliability and customer satisfaction.
Airlines such as Lufthansa Cargo, Swiss WorldCargo, Emirates SkyCargo, Cathay Pacific Cargo, Singapore Airlines Cargo, Air France-KLM Cargo, British Airways World Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, Turkish Airlines Cargo, and Japan Airlines Cargo offer specialized precious cargo services. Additionally, specialized cargo airlines like Cargolux Airlines, as well as logistics companies including DB Schenker, Kuehne + Nagel, DHL Global Forwarding, UPS Supply Chain Solutions, and FedEx Custom Critical provide expert handling for high-value goods.
Source: ANA Cargo/Website, Wikimedia Commons
Its capabilities in maintaining freshness, ensuring security, and providing specialised handling make it the top choice for safeguarding valuable and delicate items—from ancient haniwa sculptures to life-saving pharmaceuticals. The haniwa’s safe transportation demonstrates air transport’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
By leveraging expertise, specialised handling, and precise control, air transport ensures these priceless artefacts reach destinations intact, preserving history for future generations. Ultimately, the crucial role of air transport in shipping precious cargo is undeniable.
