Hollow clay figurine 中空土偶ちゅうくうどぐう

Description

This clay figurine is of a type mostly found in the Tōhoku region in the Late Jōmon period (about 1500–1000 BCE). Commonly seen on clay objects from this period, the lumps of clay that form the chest, as well as the sash-like erased cord markings, have been skillfully applied to this work. These erased cord markings, called <i>surikeshi jōmon</i>, are a decorative pattern identified by the incised lines dividing the cord-marked parts from other places where the cord marks have been smoothed away.

The hollowing technique used to create this artifact and another from the Chobonaino site in Hokkaido (a National Treasure currently owned by the Hakodate City Board of Education) was also utilized to enlarge figurines during the same period. A rectangular vent at the back of its head prevented breakage during the firing process. X-ray CT scans have revealed a different, circular hole just below this opening that has been plugged up with clay. Initially, this circular hole may have been created as a gas vent, then later plugged up when it was decided to make the larger, rectangular vent in the figurine.