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Tax included. | Flat ¥1,000 shipping (Honshu only, large items excluded)
Each piece is carefully packed for international delivery.
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.
Jōmon pottery was made without a potter’s wheel. Instead, artisans built up coils of clay by hand, leaving behind visible traces of their labor—thickness, slight undulations, and the texture of the clay body still palpable today. To withstand the low firing temperatures of 600–900°C, materials such as shell, plant fibers, and mica were often added to the clay for added durability.
In the Early Jōmon period (ca. 16,500–5,000 BCE), vessels with deep bodies and rounded bottoms were prevalent, designed for practicality in boiling and storage. As sedentary life took hold, flat-bottomed forms gradually emerged for better stability on the ground.
The Middle Jōmon period (ca. 3,500–2,500 BCE) is considered the golden age of Jōmon culture. Vessels with bold, three-dimensional designs such as flame-shaped or crown-shaped rims became widespread, and over 70 regional styles were established. These vessels became symbols of local communities, spirituality, and nature worship. The Dogū clay figurines, too, reflect beliefs in fertility and ritual prayer.
By the Late Jōmon period (ca. 2,500–300 BCE), a shift toward daily utility occurred once again. Spouted jars and thin, board-like Dogū became common, reflecting the shrinking of settlements and possible effects of climate change—marking a transition toward the Yayoi society.
Across these three periods, Jōmon pottery followed a unique cycle: evolving from “practical tools” into expressions of “ornament and spirituality,” and then returning to a focus on the “everyday.” When touching a fragment of Jōmon pottery and inhaling the scent of clay, one can sense a layered dialogue between people and nature, seasons and memory. That familiarity may be a sign that the unbroken thread of life woven over more than 10,000 years on these islands still resides within us. Jōmon pottery, in this way, stands as a grand signpost of history, quietly asking where we have come from—and where we are going.
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Tax included. | Flat ¥1,000 shipping (Honshu only, large items excluded)

