Dogu: Objects of Prayer in the Jomon Period
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Gangu (Stone Figurine), Excavated at Komukai, Nanbu-cho, Aomori, Jomon period, 1000–400 BC
Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
March 3, 2020 (Tue) - September 6, 2020 (Sun)The most prominent objects of prayer from the Jomon period (ca. 11,000 BC–ca. 5th century BC) are dogu clay figurines. Even the earliest examples of these figurines have breasts, which suggests that they represent women, and their protruding bellies probably symbolize pregnancy. Therefore, it is believed that dogu figurines were created to pray for easy delivery of children, the birth of many children, and fertility.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Clay Figurine ("Dogū”) | Found in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima | Jōmon period, 2000–1000 BC | Private collection | |||
| Highlight | Clay Figurine (”Dogū”), with an Owl-Like Face | Found in Kōnosu City, Saitama | Jōmon period, 1000–400 BC | J-23211 | |||
| Highlight | Clay Figurine (”Dogū”) with Goggle-Like Eyes | Found in Misato Town, Akita | Jōmon period, 1000–400 BC | J-36558 | |||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Clay Tablet | Found at Fukuda Shell Mound, Ibaraki | Jōmon period, 1000–400 BC | Gift of Mr. Inoue Tsuneichi and Mrs. Inoue Fumiko J-38401 | ||
| Highlight | Gangu (Stone Figurine) | Excavated at Komukai, Nanbu-cho, Aomori | Jomon period, 1000–400 BC | J-37266 |