Month: June 2020

The Advent of the Yayoi

June 29, 2020 justin-david-hebert Jōmon, Season 1 Comments Off on The Advent of the Yayoi
The reconstructed Longhouse of the Sannai-Maruyama site, which was home to one group of Jomon people for hundreds of years. Attrib.: Diego Molla / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
A reconstructed pit dwelling at Sannai-Maruyama, this one made mostly from bark. Attrib.: I, Perezoso / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
More pit-dwellings from Sannai-Maruyama. I think the one in the foreground looks kind of like a Hobbit Hole because I am a nerd. Attrib.: 663highland / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
From the Yoshinogari site, a reconstructed elevated storehouse, longhouse, and several pit dwellings. These are Yayoi Period structures, and it might seem like they are not very different than the Jomon dwellings. We’ll discuss why that is next season…
Attrib.: Suicasmo / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A watchtower from the Yoshinogari Site, as well as a palisade. Various defensive structures were built during the latter part of the Yayoi period. Image is Public Domain.

Meanwhile in China and Korea

June 25, 2020 justin-david-hebert Jōmon, Season 1 Comments Off on Meanwhile in China and Korea
A bone flute excavated from a Jiahu site Attrib.: Cangminzho / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A map of the Shang Dynasty, Public Domain
A good example of Jeulmun Pottery. While simpler in construction than its Jomon counterparts, its design and texture are still very complex. Attrib.: Ismoon (talk) 08:14, 18 June 2018 (UTC) / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A larger example of a Jeulmun Pot. Here you can more clearly see the “comb marks” near the rim that give the aesthetic its name. Attrib.: Asfreeas at Korean Wikipedia / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

All About Pottery!

June 22, 2020 justin-david-hebert Jōmon, Season 1 Comments Off on All About Pottery!
Two vessels from the Incipient Jomon Period (11,000-7,000 BCE). Note the relative simplicity, the designs adding only a subtle accent to the overall work. Attrib: Ismoon (talk) (merci Gaspard !) / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A pot from the Middle Jōmon Period (2,500-1,500 BCE). Note the extensive applique, the texturized spaces. Attrib.: I, Sailko / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
Another Middle Jōmon Vessel, this one decorated in the “flame style.” Attrib.: しんぎんぐきゃっと / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A Dogū Figurine from Tōhoku (Far Northeastern Honshu), circa 1,000-400 BCE. Attrib.: World Imaging / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Tōkyo National Museum Jōmon Exhibit – Lots of great pictures of various items which the Jōmon people used every day, including wooden baskets, pottery, Dogū

Cleveland Museum of Art Jōmon Pottery – Great virtual exhibit of Jōmon pottery from various angles, as well as helpful descriptions of their uses.

Chino City Jōmon Page – A pleasant English-language walkthrough of the Jōmon Period with lots of relevant artifacts unearthed in Nagano Prefecture.

The Ainu and Ryukyuan Peoples

June 18, 2020 justin-david-hebert Jōmon, Season 1 Comments Off on The Ainu and Ryukyuan Peoples

This episode was difficult to research but I felt it was important to include both the Ainu and Ryukyuan peoples in the narrative where possible because they are far too often overlooked. Here are some public domain/creative commons photos to help with visualization:

A Group of Ainu people, taken in 1904, Author Unknown
An Ainu Family, photo taken in 1904 – Gerhard Sisters / Public domain
An Ainu Marriage Celebration – munechika tanaka / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
Ainu Mother and child, 1904 – Public Domain
Five Men Wearing Ryukyuan Dress – year unknown (between 1868-1912) – Public Domain
A traditional Ryukyu home featuring Shisa (Lion Dog) protectors – attrib.: I, 倶楽部オータム / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

The Paleolithic and Jōmon Periods

June 15, 2020 justin-david-hebert Jōmon, Season 1 Comments Off on The Paleolithic and Jōmon Periods

The first episode is now live! IT LIVES!

I got to read a lot of academic articles for this, which was fun. I wish I could go into more detail regarding plant husbandry and Jōmon religion, but a lot of it is still speculation. It’s probably fair to assume a bit of overlap between the Ainu and the Jōmon regarding rituals and cultural practices but, again, there’s still a lot we don’t know for sure about this period.

Sannai-Maruyama Site Official Webpage – Explore the site I mentioned in the podcast from the comfort of your screen! Lots of great photos and information!

Jōmon Archaeological Sites – A fantastic page featuring loads of photos and information of various Jōmon sites throughout Japan!

Hope you enjoyed the episode!