Jomon Period
Title: Deep Pot
Artist/Culture: Jomon Period
Date: 3000-2000 B.C.
Description and information about why you chose it:
The clay to make this pottery was decorated by rolling or pressing braided cord onto the surface. This pot was during the early jomon period and so you can see that it was more embellished than those that followed. This particular piece has the top part looking like it's about to grab you. I liked the way it looks. It's not too overwhelming like some of their other works.
Source: http://web-japan.org/nipponia/nipponia32/en/feature/feature01.html
Title: Storage Jar
Artist/Culture: Middle Jomon Period
Date: ca 2500-1500 B.C.
Description and information about why you chose it:
This earthenware vessel came from the Aomori Prefecture in northeaster Japan. This food vessels were planted into the ground and used for cooking. Some were very detailed while others were simple and less embellished. This particular one has less embellishment but yet has a lot of detail on the texture. I liked the pattern on the side. I also like that the top isn't as stretched out like other Jomon earthenware were it seems like the pot is stretching out to grab you.
source: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1975.268.182
Title: Bottle
Artist/Culture: Late Jomon Period
Date: ca 1500-1000 B.C.
Description and information about why you chose it:
This type of pottery was found during the Late Jomon Period. It displays the diminishing interest in embellishing their pottery. I loved this jar. I love the shape and that it's simple. Compared to their other pottery this doesn't have a lot of things going on.
Source: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1975.268.184
Title: Korukoma, yamanashi prefecture
Artist/Culture: Jomon period
Date: c. 2500-1500
Description and information as to why you chose it:
Dogu figures are small humanoid figures which have large faces, small arms and hands, and compact bodies. I personally like cats which is why I chose this dogu figure. It's face reminds me of a kitty.
Source: http://images.suite101.com/1004283_com_animalface.jpg
Artist/culture: Jomon period
Date: 2500-1500 B.C.
Description and information as to why you chose it:
This dogu figure was deemed a national treasure in 1995. The reason I chose this piece is because it makes me wonder what it was used for. I read that it is believed that they were used to transfer illnesses or some sort of misfortune to the dogu and they would be broken to end that but their use is still unknown. If that was the case why would they make the shape of a woman?
Source: http://www.suite101.com/view_image.cfm/1004299 and http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/future_exhibitions/the_power_of_dogu/highlight_objects.aspx
Title: Google-eyed dogu, Kamegaoka
Artist/Culture: Jomon Period
Date: 1000-300 B.C.
Description and information as to why you chose it:
This dogu seems to be wearing round goggles over his eyes. His arms and legs are thick and short compared to the rest of his body. This specific dogu reminds me of an anime character from Ranma 1/2. That's the reason I chose this piece. I tend to look for objects that make me think about something or remind me of something or someone and this one just reminded me of one of my favorite animes.
Source: http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/future_exhibitions/the_power_of_dogu/highlight_objects.aspx
Yayoi Period
Artist/Culture: Yayoi Period
Date: ca 4th century B.C.-3rd century A.D.
Description and information about why you chose it:
During the Yayoi Period immigration from Korea changed everything. Rice cultivation started growing, more complex forms of government were being established, and metal technology was used. The pottery in this period seems to be more symmetrical than that of the Jomon period. The roundness reminds me of pots I see in Mexico all the time.
Source: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1975.268.378
Title: Bell (dotaku)
Artist/Culture: Late Yayoi Period
Date: ca 4th Century B.C.- 3rd century A.D.
Description and information about why you chose it:
This bell shows how Japan moved from only using clay to using metal to make their items. Korean immigrants brought the use of metal and bronze to create weapons and ceremonial objects with them. This bell intrigures me because to me it doesn't look like a bell. Bells are usually curved and nice and this one looks like a miniature building.
Kofun Period
Title: Haniwa Boar
Artist/Culture: Kofun Period
Date: ca. 3rd Century-538
Description and information about why you chose it:
Haniwa figures were made to hold ceremonial offerings. They were never full of detail and were left with the clay showing. This haniwa boar shows how Japan was moving from just doing pottery to making little figurines that weren't just humans like the dogu. It also makes me sad because this is a little boar that died.
Title: Bust of a Warrior
Artisti/Culture: Kofun Period
Date: ca 3rd century-538 (5th to 6th century)
Description and information about why you chose it:
Haniwa were placed on tombs. This haniwa of a warrior could have been placed on a warriors tomb. His face seems to reflect the earlist haniwa made. This type of haniwa were usually placed along the side or on the entrance of large tombs, usually the emperors. The simplicity of the haniwa figures is appealing to me. They're not too sophisticated and not too plain. If they had been made like Chinese ceramics then they would have been too pretty to be placed outside a tomb. I think they would get stolen more easily.
Source: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1975.268.414
Title: Large Jar
Artisti/Culture: Kofun period/Asuka Period
Date: 3rd century-710 (6th to 7th century)
Description and information about why you choose it:
During the Kofun period stone ware was produced. They no longer relied on earthenware to create all of their food containers. Cords are still used to make the markings or decorations on the side but it's mainly the firing that gives it the look it has. This jar looks round like the previous periods but it seems more smoother and less breakable. Not only have they created something more durable but it also looks nice.
Source: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1975.268.420
