Dotaku (Bronze bell) with figures

Yayoi era, ca. 100-300 CE

Media: Bronze Form: Bell 

Inspired by Chinese Bells, but weren't functional; they didn't make any nice sound

Some of the bells had engravings of pagodas or graineries 

Storage Jar (with broad rim),

Middle Yayoi era (100 BCE-100 CE),

Media: earthenware Form: Jar

H; 16 cm,

Encised decoration in abstract pattern divided into decorative zones, horizontal division of zones, bumps (ears) purpose unknown, even color and smooth clay surface, play with negative space and figure and ground

most likely hand formed 

probably used to hold liquids bc the neck is very thin 

Deep Pot with Cord and Bamboo Markings,

Early-Middle Jōmon, h: 35 cm,

Nanzan University

What is the media??

Shape is still inspired by the "mental image" of previous forms of storage such as woven baskets and animal skin bags, but it is starting to depart from the original conventions of the initial Jomon. The decoration is also inspired by this, the texture imitates woven surface. Very ornate

The clay surface is uneven in texture and color, this is due to imperfections in the clay's composition and lack of control of the firing process. 

The imperfections are disguised with rope patterns, greater variety of tools to impress patterns on surface

Flat base, top heavy. 

Conical Bowl with Tapered Bottom,

initial Jōmon, h: 16.6 cm,

Hokkaidō

Bullet Shaped 

Shape is based on "mental image" of previous forms of storage such as woven baskets and animal skin bags. The decoration is also inspired by this, the texture imitates woven surface.Very ornate

Top heavy, the bottom is rounded so they must have been propped up by being burried into the dirt floor, or by some sort of base that might have been a separate piece, and therefore lost. 

Jar with Combed Design, 5-6c, Kofun period,

stoneware with natural ash glaze,

Overall dia.: 20.5cm, Diameter of rim: 18.4cm,

Extensive hegemony, concentrated power, implied unified central government

stratification of society -> variety of products for the different social structures

Has completely abandoned the "mental image" from the early Jomon, looks like the modern idea of pottery we have now

-Higher temperature firings that they have more control over, for the glaze

-Intense labor force, probably made on a wheel

Middle Jōmon settlement

reconstruction, Nagano

Hunter gatherer with small degree of sedentism 

Sunken pit dwellings/houses near rivers or sea coasts, in groups of about 5 houses 

Had thatched roofs and stone circles, thick pillars (wooden post and beams) and mounds used as ritual sites 

burried in pit graves 

square flor dug slightly below ground

Fired clay figurine (Dogu),

Jomon ca.1000 BCE 

Woman clutching something, could be a child?

There are many of these figures, this one is the most realistic and most personable 

Exagerated features: big round eyes, thick lips, 

Historians hypthesize that this refers to climate change, at the time the Earth was getting colder, the mother could be clutching her child to keep it warm

most are broken, suggest it was for ritual purpose 

Reconstruction of the Yayoi Settlement Yoshinogari,

Northern Kyūshū, wood

300 bce-300 ce 

Iron Age, beginning of rice agriculture (rice paddys), metallurgy introduced: bronze and Iron

Accumulation of wealth through land owenership and storage of grains  

Shinto introduced in the Yayoi

We see the beginning of social stratification, distinct social classes

This is visible in the settlements, not only look more advanced but the appearance of gates and fences implies divisions and separations of groups

Also the buildings are much bigger, implies bigger population size

Storage Jar (with broad rim),

Middle Yayoi era (100 BCE-100 CE), earthenware

H; 16 cm, 

Small base, bulbous shape and thin neck, flat lip that extends out. wide-ish neck, smooth clay, 

minimal decoration, horizontal bands dividing the pot into registers, and subtle lines around the lip, 

Made with wheel, mass produced- standardization of shape, interaction between Japan and the continent (China via Korea) * why???, standardized shapes, tall narrow neck,

Pitchers, bowls, cooking vessels, unglazed earthenware, fired at lowest temperature

(in between stoneware, usually glazed, and ceramic which is fired at the highest temperature)

daily and ritual purposes

Tomb of Emperor Nintoku,

first half of 5c. Kofun

Length: 486 m. Sakai, Osaka Prefecture.

Keyhole Shape 

Extension of political power, unified central government led by the imperial family, loosley organized hegemony of regional power

mirror, and jade figures, bronze sword 

Haniwa of a Female Shaman with a Sword.

6c.; H. 78.5 cm; from Tsukamawari

Tumulus no. 4, Gumma Prefecture;

Fired Clay. 

Found by the keyhole shape 

representations of everyday life, houses, people etc. protector or offering to the person in the tomb, replacing the sacrificial people/animals

Figure on top of pedestal which was erected into the ground