We have learned a great deal about our past through the recovery and study of archaeological artifacts. However, there remain mysteries from history that we have yet to fully comprehend.
As time passed and humans began to evolve, developing language and writing, our knowledge has largely been recorded only since the advent of cuneiform, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and Greek texts authored by historians of that era. We can read, learn, and interpret the content of these ancient works.
What is disappointing about human history is that before cultures began to develop writing, we have no knowledge of their cultural practices. What do these archaeological artifacts from that time represent, and what specific purposes did they serve? Or simply, whether these small non-tool items were used in the religious traditions of some people.
There is still so much that we cannot clearly explain even today. This drives us to seek answers, speculate, and propose theories ranging from logical to illogical in our desperate quest to uncover humanity’s past.
One of the most ancient and perplexing artifacts we have discovered is the small dogū figurine created in prehistoric Japan.
The small dogū figurine made in prehistoric Japan.
Dogū, meaning “earth figure,” refers to small clay figurines shaped like humans or animals created during the late Jōmon period of prehistoric Japan. What makes these dogū figurines intriguing is that scholars do not know what these small figures were created for or what they represent.
The figurine created during the late Jōmon period of prehistoric Japan.
The Jōmon period was indeed a lengthy era in Japanese history, lasting from 14,000 BCE to 300 BCE. During this time, the people of Japan were primarily hunter-gatherers. Early agricultural communities also began to form during the Jōmon culture.
At the beginning of the Jōmon period, the first forms of pottery in Japan developed. In 1998, American archaeologist and zoologist Edward S. Morse discovered the first Jōmon pottery fragments.
Morse himself named this period; Jōmon means “cord-marked.” The pottery style from the early Jōmon culture was adorned by pressing cords into wet clay to create various shapes and textures.
We do not know the specific purpose and significance of these small figurines because writing in Japan only began to develop in the 6th century CE, a long time after the dogū were created. Dogū were only made during the Jōmon period, and by the time the subsequent prehistoric era commenced in Japan, dogū were no longer produced.
Dogū were only produced during the Jōmon period.
All theories and interpretations regarding what the dogū figurines represent are speculative and are one of the many reasons why these small clay figures remain so mysterious. In fact, we know that there are several different dogū styles, largely dependent on where the artifacts were found and when they were created.
The reasons for the development of these styles also contribute to the mystery of the dogū.
The dogū are typically small, measuring between 10 cm to 30 cm, with most found having a female body shape. Common characteristics include large eyes, a slim waist, wide hips, and sometimes a large belly that resembles a pregnant abdomen.
There are several different dogū styles.
Many scholars believe that these small figurines represent a mother goddess in ancient Japanese civilization. This is suggested because dogū are quite similar to other Neolithic figurines such as the Venus of Willendorf. It is possible that dogū were artifacts related to fertility and shamanistic rituals.
The appearance of the dogū seems as if it is wearing swimming goggles or has a distinctly heart-shaped face. Interestingly, most dogū found bear markings on the face, shoulders, and chest that could indicate they had tattoos.
There are four different shapes of dogū: “pregnant woman style,” “horned owl style,” “slit-eyed style,” and “heart or crescent-shaped eyebrow style.” The slit-eyed type, also known as Shakōkidogū, has become so famous and recognizable that many Japanese think of Shakōkidogū when dogū figures are mentioned.
The type of dogū with goggles is named after shakōki, literally meaning “light-blocking device.” These goggles have a similar appearance to traditional snow goggles worn by the Inuit and Yupik peoples in Alaska and Siberia.
It is very rare to find an intact dogū. Most dogū found are missing feet, hands, or other body parts. While some are broken, some dogū have been found with limbs deliberately severed.
It is very rare to find an intact dogū.
We may never know the true purpose of dogū. This is due to the lack of written language at the time they were created.
It is believed that dogū were created and owned by women (there is no evidence to suggest that they were made by women or who would own them, so this is purely speculative) and are symbols of rebirth and fertility.
