Katelyn Sears
24 January 2011
Updated 26 April 2011
Coil Pot from the Jomon Culture
Grade level: 9-Adult
(Content Standards suited for Grade 9)
Project Objective:
In this lesson, students will observe the Jomon culture and create a coil pot with
the influence of Jomon pottery. We will discuss the terms ‘texture’ and ‘rhythm’ and how
it was used in the style of Jomon pottery and how it will be implemented in the students
work. Students will learn the reason for and technique of hand building through using
coils, while also understanding moisture content and clay connections.
Ohio Academic Content Standard:
1. Discuss the roles of visual art forms within social contexts. (Historical, Cultural
and Social Contexts, Grade 9, Benchmark A)
2. Explain the relationship of a selected work of art to the time period in which it
was created. (Historical, Cultural and Social Contexts, Grade 9, Benchmark A)
3. Research and describe the cultural values in various traditions that influence
contemporary art media. (Historical, Cultural and Social Contexts, Grade 9,
Benchmark A)
Interdisciplinary Information/ Connection:
History is a huge aspect of this lesson as it is based off of a culture from 10,000
B.C. and we need to study this culture in order to better understand how to replicate their
pottery. Not only will we be looking at the ceramic work they made, but also we will be
looking at their lifestyle and what made them make these works. In that, we will also be
looking at our lives and the reasons we use pottery and how we will go about creating a
vessel that has purpose for us.
Materials:
1. 5-10 lbs. of Earthenware clay for each student
2. Medium sized bowl for each student
3. Board for the student to work on
4. Newspapers
5. 5-10 lbs. of Earthenware clay for each student
6. Clay Tool Kit for each student (Plastic knife, fork, wooden rib, metal rib, plastic
rib and needle tool)
7. Spray bottles
8. Large sponges
9. Jomon Culture Resource Material (Pull up websites mentioned in bibliography)
10. Powerpoint of Jomon culture and pottery (found in bibliography)
11. Projector to present powerpoint
12. Computer
Pre Class Preparations:
1. Set out materials for each table
2. Fill spray bottles with water
3. Set up projector and computer for powerpoint, open up the document
4. Make sure tables and tools are clean
5. Set up tables and chairs
Stimulation Presented:
Students will be presented with various books and resources of the Jomon culture.
We will also look at a powerpoint to give further excitement about learning about this
culture. We will pretend and imagine what it would be like to live among this culture and
what we would make out of the clay we found. What would we store in our vessels?
What designs would we place on them? How would we provide texture?
Directions or Process:
1. 9:00-9:05: Settling in to the classroom and introduction to lesson
2. 9:10-9:25: Show powerpoint and books about Jomon culture, explain why this is
important to ceramics. Discuss the difference between throwing on a wheel and
hand building. Point out texture and rhythm in the works and define the terms.
Give stimulation: Have students imagine living in this time period and what they
would create
3. 9:25-9:40: Coil Pot Demonstration:
4. 9:25-9:30: Base: Refresh slab making and how to create a circle using the bottom
of the spray bottle to trace out the circle, and then cut out the clay
5. 9:30-9:45: Coil Making/Scoring and connection: Demonstrate how to create coils
by rolling out snake like forms. Also:
 Explain how to score the pieces at the connection points to secure the
pieces.
 Cover the importance of moisture content and how it should be even
throughout the piece.
 The size of coils should be even and around one-half inch thick
 Show how to create rhythm and texture through shaped in the coils
(Making spirals or different shapes)
 Encourage students to think of something unique, but also displaying the
techniques and ideas of Jomon pottery.
6. 9:45-10:20: Work time for students, Assist students when needed and encourage
and point on when students understand
7. 10:20-10:30: Clean Up: Clean up tools in sink and take large sponge to clean
tables, cover projects and place in cabinet.
Evaluation:
The class discussed the roles of visual art forms within social contexts. They explained
the relationship of a selected work of art to the time period in which it was created. They
researched and described the cultural values in various traditions that influence
contemporary art media.
Bibliography:
"Jomon Culture (ca. 10,500–ca. 300 B.C.) | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art
History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art." The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New
York: Metmuseum.org. Web. 24 Jan. 2011.
<http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/jomo/hd_jomo.htm#slideshow2>.
"Women's Prehistoric Jomon Pottery: History, Illustrations, Links (New URL)." Early
Women Masters East & West. Web. 24 Jan. 2011.
<http://www.earlywomenmasters.net/masters/jomon/index.html>.
"The World’s First Pottery Created in Jomon, Japan." Popular | Environmental Graffiti.
Web. 24 Jan. 2011. <http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/worlds-first-potterycreated-jomon-japan/12280>.