Interaction with the Asian Continent and the Pottery of an Agricultural Society
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Jar
Found at the Minami Oyama Site, Fukushima, Yayoi period, 2nd–1st century BCJapanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
March 4, 2025 (Tue) - September 7, 2025 (Sun)About 2,400 years ago, bronze and iron tools as well as rice cultivation were introduced from China and Korea, later spreading throughout most of Japan. People began living in villages with irrigated rice fields, marking the beginning of the agricultural Yayoi period. Two unique cultures developed in parallel with Yayoi society: the Post-Jomon culture on the island of Hokkaido to the northeast, where rice cultivation did not take root, and the Late Shell Mound culture on the Nansei Islands to the southwest.
Yayoi pottery was used during this period. Although it was unglazed like the Jomon pottery of the previous period, it was thinner and fired at a higher temperature, making it more durable and lighter in color. Vessels with specific functions such as urns for boiling, jars for storage, and stemmed bowls for serving food were created to meet the needs of this new agricultural society.
In the first half of the Yayoi period (ca. 4th–3rd century BC), pottery with shared characteristics known as Ongagawa-type pottery was created throughout western Japan. Vessels showing influence from this pottery have been excavated in eastern and northern Japan, suggesting the diffusion of a shared culture. Moreover, during the mid-Yayoi period (ca. 2nd–1st century BC) use of the potter’s wheel and other new techniques were adopted.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Jar | Found at the Karako-Kagi Site, Nara | Yayoi period, 4th–3rd century BC | Gift of the Nara Prefectural Board of Education, J-36606 | |||
| Highlight | Cylindrical Vessel Stand | Found at the Higashioda Nanaita Site, Fukuoka | Yayoi period, 2nd–1st century BC | Lent by Chikuzen Education Board, Fukuoka | |||
| Highlight | Footed Vessel | Found at the Funahashi Site, Osaka | Yayoi period, 2nd–1st century BC | Gif of Mr. Tamura Atsumasa, J-38746 | |||
| Highlight | Jar | Found at the Funahashi Site, Osaka | Yayoi period, 2nd–1st century BC | Gift of Mr. Tamura Atsumasa, J-38725 | |||
| Highlight | Vessel in the Shape of a Clay Figurine | Found in Nishiaizu Town, Fukushima | Yayoi period, 2nd–1st century BC | Private collection | |||
| Jar | Found at the Minami Oyama Site, Fukushima | Yayoi period, 2nd–1st century BC | J-38651 | ||||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Jar | Found in Asagiri Town, Kumamoto | Yayoi period, 1st–3rd century | Private collection |