CUP, Earthenware, Jomon Period (10000–300 BCE)
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A cup-shaped earthenware vessel from the Jomon period.
A small cup-shaped earthenware that fits in the palm of the hand. Measuring only about 6cm, its gently outward-flaring rim and the cord-like band encircling just below the shoulder convey a clear sense of deliberate form within an overall rustic simplicity.
When one thinks of Jomon pottery, one often envisions the large, highly decorative vessels typified by flame-style wares; this piece, however, is smaller and of a quieter presence. Formed from coarse clay and shaped as if with the fingertips, its surface preserves the natural character of a clay that contains small stones and grains of sand. The pale, slightly whitish clay is touched here and there by reddish-brown firing, lending it the dry, time-worn texture characteristic of ancient ceramics.
A cord-like band encircles the lower part of the body, tightening the vessel’s base. Although small, this earthenware does not remain merely bowl-shaped; traces of deliberate shaping are visible. The rim shows chipping and wear and is not intact, yet its irregular edge contributes to the vessel’s rustic expression.
Modest in scale, when placed on a desk or shelf its earthy presence remains quietly felt. An accessible, inviting piece that brings ancient pottery within easy reach.
There is flaking at the rim and abrasion and roughness of the clay on the vessel surface. Please note that these characteristics are consistent with the object’s age.
Numerous product photos are available for you to examine the details and condition. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Jomon pottery was made without the potter’s wheel, using a coiling method in which rolls of clay were built up to form the vessel. This handwork remains on the surface as variations in thickness and subtle irregularities, conveying the tactile reality of the clay body even today. Shell, fiber, and mica were also mixed into the clay to help prevent cracking during open firing at 600–900°C.
During the Early Jomon period (roughly 16,500–5,000 BCE), deep bowls with rounded bases predominated, practical forms valued for cooking and storage. As settlement became more established, bases gradually became flat so that vessels could stand securely on the ground.
The Middle Jomon period (3500–2500 BCE) that followed may be called the golden age of Jomon culture. Complex three-dimensional ornament, including flame-style and crown-style forms, came to dominate, and more than seventy regional styles were established. These vessels became symbols of communities, spirituality, and nature worship, while dogu clay figures concentrated ideas of fertility and prayer.
In the Final Jomon period (2500–300 BCE), everyday utility again came to the fore. Spouted vessels and thin, tablet-like dogu became more common, changes that may relate to shrinking settlements and climatic shifts. This transformation points toward the transition to Yayoi society.
Across these three phases, Jomon pottery traces a distinctive cycle: from “utilitarian object,” to an elevation into “ornament and spirituality,” and then back once more to “everyday life.” When I touch a pottery fragment and sense the smell of earth, a layered dialogue between people and nature, seasons and memory, rises in my mind. That feeling of familiarity may be evidence that the continuity of life woven through this archipelago for more than ten thousand years has also been woven into me. Seen this way, Jomon pottery may be a grand historical guidepost, asking where we came from and where we are going.
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Tax excluded. Import duties may apply. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout.
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