ART 198 - HISTORY OF WORLD CERAMICS

In Japan we find the longest continuous ceramic tradition in the world, dating from approximately 10,000 BCE to the present. While Japanese ceramics have undoubtedly been influenced by Chinese ceramics, there is a strong indigenous tradition as well. The earliest examples of ceramics from the Japanese islands are known as Jomon pottery, and while it was thought for many years that these vessels dated to no earlier than 4000 BCE, the latest evidence dates some examples as being much earlier, to 10,000 BCE. The name Jomon literally means 'coil impressed,' referring the the characteristic patterns found on the surfaces that were made my rolling a rope across the soft clay. These rope impressions can be easily seen here. These forms are hand built from coils, as no wheel was known at this time. Many are quite large and the scale and designs of these forms are impressive, considering their antiquity. Jomon pottery is unique in that is represents the only example of vessel making by non-agricultural peoples. In all other parts of the world, vessel making only developed alongside agriculture, and hunter-gatherers did not make pottery. The creators of the Jomon pottery were fishermen who lived off the bounty of their nets as well as nuts, fruit, birds, and other animals. It is perhaps from their nets that the rope were taken to use for pattern on the vessels.

JOMON FOOTED BOWL, JAPAN, Neolithic (approximately 4000 BCE)