Dogū: Objects of Prayer in the Jomon Period
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Bell-Shaped Clay Object
Found in Hirosaki City, Aomori, Jōmon period, 2000–1000 BCJapanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
September 3, 2024 (Tue) - March 2, 2025 (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 | Important Cultural Property | Clay Figurine ("Dogū") with Goggle-Like Eyes | Found in Ōsaki City, Miyagi | Jōmon period, 1000–400 BC | J-38304 | ||
| Highlight | Bell-Shaped Clay Object | Found in Hirosaki City, Aomori | Jōmon period, 2000–1000 BC | J-37270 | |||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Clay Mask | Found in Tsugaru City, Aomori | Jōmon period, 1000–400 BC | J-36874 | ||
| 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 |