THE POTTERY OF JAPAN
Jomon Pottery
Early
Jomon
Middle
Jomon
Late Jomon
An Intro…
The pottery created
during the Jomon period
in Japan are generally
accepted to be the oldest
pottery in the world.
The Jomon period was
ca. 10,500–ca. 300 B.C.
The name Jomon is
derived from “cord
markings” which adorns
the pottery.
All Jomon pots were built
by hand, by women, and
with a coil method.
 "All Jomon pots were made by hand, without the
aid of a wheel, the potter building up the vessel from
the bottom with coil upon coil of soft clay. As in all
other Neolithic cultures, women produced these
early potteries. The clay was mixed with a variety
of adhesive materials, including mica, lead, fibers,
and crushed shells. After the vessel was formed,
tools were employed to smooth both the outer and
interior surfaces.”

- Metropolitan Museum of Art
Jomon Pottery
Beginning of Pottery
 There has been much debate as
to whether or not the Jomon
people invented pottery.
 The people lived near the sea in
Japan and their diets consisted
mostly of sea food.
 The Jomon used pottery for
trading and keeping food.
 Pottery was used for
transporting goods to other
villages as well.
Early Jomon Pottery
 Early Jomon pottery dates from
ca. 5000–2500 B.C.
 The pottery was fired at
temperatures no greater than
900 degrees.
 Early Jomon pottery is
characterised by having flat
bases and sides that show little
of the creativity that occurred
later on.
Middle Jomon
This period marked the
high point of the Jomon
culture in terms of
production of
handicrafts.
“The basic form remained
the straight-sided
cooking or storage jar,
but the rim now took on
spectacular, flamboyant
shapes... Middle Jomon
potters made full use of
the tactile quality of clay,
bending and twisting it as
well as incising and
applying designs.”
Middle Jomon
 During the middle Jomon
period the climate was
becoming colder and
people were moving
inland into the mountains.
 It is thought that the
Jomon people started
making more creative
pottery to show up other
communities.
 Instead of working on
more advanced firing and
building techniques the
Jomon people were keen
on fine-tuning their
artistic skill
Late Jomon
Moving Backwards
 During the years of the
Late Jomon period a
severe decrease in
population is noted.
 During this time
religion and ritual
activities gained steam.
 We see the Jomon people
take a step back and once
again create the simple
cord-marked and incised
pottery.
 More and more figurines
were being made and the
once beautiful pots
returned to the old style.
Late Jomon
Shown here are 3
different examples of
Late Jomon pottery.
As you can see the two
pots look very similar to
early Jomon pottery.
The figurine on the
other hand is quite
detailed compared to
the simple pots.