Interview with Matthew Welch

Curator of Korean and Japanese Art

1. Can you tell us the basics about this object? How and when was it made? By whom? How was it used, and so forth?

Well, this prehistoric earthenware pot was made by Japan's Jomon (pronunciation: "JOH-mohn") people, one of the first discernable cultures to occupy the Japanese islands. The Jomon period lasted for over ten thousand years, and the earliest pottery fragments date to nearly 11,000 years before the birth of Christ.

(1) The rim is made to suggest leaping flames.

The artisans who made this deep jar used the coil-and-paddle technique, constructing the form from long ropes of clay, which they then smoothed together. They finished the jar by elaborating its rim with additional clay coils, to create the so-called "fire-flame" pattern (kaen-shiki, pronunciation: "KAH-en-shih-kee"), because the coils resemble rolling and leaping flames.(1)

(2) Diagonal cord markings and incised designs are visible.

The cylindrical body is lightly textured with diagonal designs made by rolling or pressing rope into the wet clay. In fact the word Jomon, means "cord markings." The lower portion of this vessel bears these markings, together with incised whimsical designs.(2)

This jar was probably used during religious ceremonies, since its elaborate rim and large, heavy size would have made it impractical for daily use.

2. Do we know where in Japan it comes from?

The museum doesn't have original archaeological records that indicate where it was discovered, but it resembles other vessels excavated in Niigata prefecture in northwestern part of the island of Honshu.

In the middle of the Jomon period, around 5000 B.C., the Niigata area supported a relatively large population. Due to climatic warming, the sea level rose and people migrated to the highland forests. While people during this time continued to survive by hunting and gathering, they also began to some rudimentary forms of crop cultivation.

Small villages consisted of pit houses with central heating and cooking areas that emphasized the importance of family unity.

The large number of vessels that have been excavated from dwellings throughout Japan suggest the people enjoyed economic stability and enough leisure time to develop crafts that incorporated decoration that wasn't functional, but was a delight to the eye.

3. So, they used ceramic objects for several different purposes?

Earthenware vessels were used for eating, drinking and storage, and also perhaps for ceremonial functions. To suit different utilitarian and ceremonial needs, Jomon potters produced vast quantities of pots in many forms, including small bowls, pots for storage and cooking, lamps, and handled pots.

(3) Black singe marks suggest vessel may have been used over fire.

This decorative jar was probably used during religious ceremonies. Black marks on the exterior surface suggest it may have been used for ritual cooking over an open fire.(3)

It is believed that Jomon pots were not used as grave offerings, because all examples have been found at dwelling sites.

Many pieces have unique decoration, which leads us to think that crafts-people added original designs. The great variety also comes from the fact that pottery was not made in workshops; each village may have had one or two people who created pottery for the group.