The Jomon and Yayoi periods mark the beginnings of Japanese art and culture. Jomon, lasting from 14,000 to 300 BCE, is known for its cord-marked pottery and dogu figurines. These hunter-gatherers lived in pit dwellings and created intricate designs.

Yayoi, from 300 BCE to 300 CE, brought rice farming and metalworking to Japan. This era saw the rise of larger settlements, bronze bells called dotaku, and simpler pottery made with wheels. These changes laid the groundwork for Japan's artistic traditions.

Jomon Period Art and Artifacts

Jomon Culture and Settlements

• Jomon period lasted from approximately 14,000 BCE to 300 BCE, making it one of the longest continuous cultures in the world
  • Named after the distinctive cord-marked pottery that characterizes this era
• Jomon people were semi-sedentary hunter-gatherers who lived in pit dwellings, simple structures partially dug into the ground and covered with thatched roofs
  • Pit dwellings allowed for a more settled lifestyle compared to earlier nomadic cultures
• Jomon settlements were typically small and scattered, with a few larger settlements near rich resources (coastal areas, rivers)

Jomon Pottery and Figurines

• Cord-marked pottery is the most iconic art form of the Jomon period
  • Created by pressing cords or ropes into the clay before firing, resulting in intricate geometric patterns
  • Jomon pottery evolved over time, with early examples being simple and functional, while later pieces became more elaborate and decorative (flame-style pottery)
• Dogu figurines are small clay sculptures depicting humanoid forms, often with exaggerated features and poses
  • Believed to have served ritual or spiritual purposes, possibly related to fertility or shamanic practices
  • Most dogu figurines are female, suggesting a focus on women's roles in Jomon society

Jomon Ornaments and Trade

• Jomon people crafted various ornaments from materials like jade, stone, and shell
  • Jade ornaments, such as beads and pendants, were particularly prized and may have served as status symbols or trade goods
• Evidence of long-distance trade networks during the Jomon period, with materials like obsidian and amber being transported across the Japanese archipelago
  • Trade likely facilitated cultural exchange and the spread of new technologies and ideas

Yayoi Period Art and Artifacts

Yayoi Culture and Agriculture

• Yayoi period lasted from approximately 300 BCE to 300 CE, marking a significant transition in Japanese history
  • Named after the neighborhood in Tokyo where the first Yayoi artifacts were discovered
• Yayoi culture was characterized by the introduction of rice cultivation from the Korean Peninsula, which led to significant changes in society and technology
  • Rice cultivation allowed for larger, more stable settlements and the development of social hierarchies
• Yayoi people lived in larger, more permanent settlements compared to the Jomon period, with some villages housing hundreds of residents

Yayoi Metallurgy and Pottery

• Bronze bells, known as dotaku, are one of the most distinctive artifacts of the Yayoi period
  • Dotaku were large, elaborately decorated bells used in ritual practices and as status symbols
  • The production of dotaku required advanced metallurgical skills, indicating the technological sophistication of Yayoi society
• Yayoi pottery differed from Jomon pottery in both form and function
  • Yayoi pottery was typically plain and undecorated, with a focus on functionality rather than artistic expression
  • The introduction of the potter's wheel during the Yayoi period allowed for the mass production of standardized pottery forms (storage jars, serving vessels)