Clay Figurine Excavated from the Nishinomae Site, Yamagata Prefecture

The Jomon Goddess

The Clay Figurine Excavated from the Nishinomae Site, Yamagata Prefecture (土偶／山形県西ノ前遺跡出土) is a Middle Jomon clay figurine excavated from the Nishinomae site in Funagata Town, Mogami District, Yamagata Prefecture, now at the Yamagata Prefectural Museum in Kasumijo, Yamagata City, which in 2012 was designated a National Treasure.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs records an unglazed fired clay figure 45.0 centimetres high, owned by Yamagata Prefecture, first designated an Important Cultural Property in 1998.

Yamagata Prefecture notes that it dates from the Middle Jomon period, about 4,500 years ago, and is called the Jomon Goddess for its graceful form.

The Figure

According to the Agency, it is, with the hollow figurine from the Chobonaino site in Hokkaido (a National Treasure), the tallest surviving Jomon figurine.

Its defining feature is a female form stylised to the utmost, with a completed beauty that speaks to modern taste.

What to Look For

The Agency calls it, with the figurine from the Tanabatake site in Nagano (also a National Treasure), a celebrated masterpiece marking the summit of Jomon figurine art.

Yamagata Prefecture notes that it is among the largest figurines found in Japan and has been acclaimed abroad.

Visiting the Clay Figurine Excavated from the Nishinomae Site, Yamagata Prefecture

Yamagata Prefecture says it is on permanent display in the National Treasure room of the Yamagata Prefectural Museum. The museum is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (last entry 4:00 p.m.), closed on Mondays (the next day after a holiday) and over the New Year; admission is 300 yen for adults and 150 yen for students.

Enquiries: Yamagata Prefectural Museum, 023-645-1111.