Among the clay figurines (dogu) unearthed in Funagata Town, Yamagata Prefecture, is one called the "Jomon Venus." Designated a National Treasure, it is one of the starting points for how I think about "the beauty of form" here in Yamagata.
45 Centimeters, from 4,500 Years Ago
This clay figurine was found at the Nishinomae archaeological site in Funagata Town. It dates from the middle Jomon period, roughly 4,500 years ago.
It stands 45 centimeters tall, making it one of the largest dogu figurines in Japan. Japanese dogu are often found deliberately broken, but this is a rare piece that could be restored to nearly its complete form. Its color is a faint reddish brown.
It was designated a National Treasure on September 6, 2012. This makes it the sixth National Treasure in Yamagata Prefecture, and the fourth dogu figurine in Japan to receive National Treasure status.
Its Purpose Is Unknown, But It Is Beautiful
It isn't clearly known what the Jomon Venus was made for. One theory holds that it was made as a wish for safe childbirth or abundance.
But even without knowing its purpose, the beauty of its form comes through clearly. A narrow, cinched waist, parts that flare out to either side, a figure that stands up straight. It looks as though all ornamentation was stripped away, leaving only the essential lines. It wouldn't look out of place next to modern sculpture.
This Land Holds an Ancient Sense of Beauty
The original is on display at the Yamagata Prefectural Museum. The Nishinomae site in Funagata Town has been developed into a park, with a statue of the goddess standing at its center.
Every time I see this figurine, I feel that this land of Yamagata has had a sense for "shaping form" for a very long time. People thousands of years ago moved their hands not only for practical purposes, but for beauty as well.
My own work today exists as an extension of that. When I think of it that way, the way my hand moves as I paint a piece changes just a little.
In my commissioned artwork at Mermaid nao, too, I place importance on stripping away what's unnecessary and leaving behind the lines that matter to you.
[References]
Yamagata Prefectural Museum (National Treasure "Jomon Venus")
Yamagata Prefecture (Jomon Venus)
Funagata Town (About the Jomon Venus)
Wikipedia (Jomon Venus)
https://www.yamagata-museum.jp/treasures/jomon-no-megami
https://www.pref.yamagata.jp/020077/bunkyo/bunka/bunkazai/bunkazainewstop/dogu.html
https://www.town.funagata.yamagata.jp/megami/010/20210830143010.html
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/縄文の女神
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