Yayoi Pottery

2d century BC - 1st century BC
Tokyo National Museum, Japan

Some characteristics of Yayoi pottery, the successor of Jomon, are seen here. They include the Yayoi pots' elegant form, slender appearance, and burnished reds. Yayoi pots were thrown on the slow wheel, a much different technique from the Jomon hand-formed pots. The difference in technique goes some way towards explaining the difference in form; it would be quite awkward to produce a flamboyant, Jomon-stle decoration on any wheel-turned pot. Still, the difference in aesthetic between Jomon and Yayoi pottery can hardly be exaggerated.