Japanese History Digest

Jomon period

Jomon period

The period from around 14,000 BC to around 300 BC is called the Jomon period. During this time, global warming progressed and the glaciers melted, which separated Japan from the continent. While agriculture and animal husbandry had already begun in other parts of the world, the Japanese archipelago remained dependent on hunting and gathering.
During this period, Jomon pottery with rope patterns was used, although not everything during this time was made with this type of pottery. With the decline in large animals, people began hunting deer and wild boar, which led to the use of bow and arrow for hunting. Polished stone tools made by grinding stones appeared, including various types such as stone arrowheads, stone plates and grindstones, and stone spoons.
Houses were constructed using pit-dwelling techniques. The fact that few burial goods were unearthed suggests that there may have been little wealth disparity during this time. As many female figurines have been excavated, it is believed that animism (spirit worship) was practiced during this period.

 

Facilities where you can learn about the Jomon period

Kasori Shell Mound Museum(Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture)
https://goo.gl/qYFRPf

Sannai-Maruyama Site（Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture）
http://sannaimaruyama.pref.aomori.jp/

Chojagahara Archaeological Museum（Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture）
http://www.city.itoigawa.lg.jp/kouko/

Engaru Town Cultural Heritage Center（Engaru Town, Hokkaido）
https://engaru.jp/tourism/page.php?id=476

Kamegaoka Stone Age Site"（Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture）
http://jomon-japan.jp/jomon-sites/kamegaoka/

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