Middle Jomon Period

Viewing Assignment #1

For this assignment I chose a "Deep Vessel with Handles" from the Middle Jomon Period (ca. 3500 – 2500 B.C.) found at the Metropolitan Museum within the Dr. and Mrs. Roger G. Gerry Collection of Japanese Art. The earthenware piece measures approximately two feet in height and was part of a larger collection of similar works from different periods during the Jomon Era. What struck me during my initial observation of the vessel was the high degree of curvature in the body and the rather ""top heavy" design of the handles. In particular, I found that although there was a lack of linearity in the general outline of the work; the vessel's curvature did not seem overly strained, leading to a highly organic form. In addition, the three contoured handles at the top of the vessel seem to naturally rise outwards from the center of the body's cavity, indicating an intentional level of symmetricity. An interesting consequence of this tri-partitioning of the handle positions is that the heavy vessel may have been carried by more than one person at a time, suggesting that there was a certain degree of organized social interaction in settlements during the Middle Jomon Period.

Upon further inspection of the lower body of the vessel, I noticed several black discolorations that resembled burn marks; indicating that Jomon vessels may have been used for cooking in addition to storage. This particular piece could have been stably hung with rope or cording from the tri-partitioned handles over a bonfire to heat its contents. I was also able to observe the rough patterning from the physical application of cording to the outside of the vessel before firing that was so characteristic of the Jomon Era. Indeed, the term "Jomon" in Japanese directly translates into "marked with cord." In addition, there were several more distinct markings on the outside of the