Clay Figurine (Dogū)

土偶

At a glance — Archaeological Object · Jōmon period · held by Tokyo National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation: Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Category: Archaeological Objects
Period: Jōmon period
Date: 1000–400 BCE
Held by: Tokyo National Museum
Location: Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID: cobas-114505

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Same period: Jōmon archaeological objects →
At this museum: All 1632 works here →

In Japan, clay figurines were first produced over 12,000 years ago as abstracted representations of the upper body. Over time, they evolved into full-bodied depictions such as this piece. Many have breasts and other prominent female attributes, suggesting they served as charms for fertility and safe childbirth.

— Museum description: Tokyo National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.

Record & Sources

Designation: Important Cultural Property (重要文化財), Government of Japan
Catalogue ID: cobas-114505 (permanent)
Official record: Japan Search — jpsearch.go.jp/item/cobas-114505
Holder's collection: ColBase — Tokyo National Museum
Photograph: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0. CC BY 4.0 licence

Cite this page: “Clay Figurine (Dogū)（土偶）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-114505. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/clay-figurine-dog/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.

Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)

Genre: Archaeology
Material: Earthenware
Category: Archaeology:Media:Earthenware, stoneware, porcelain
Cultural property designation: Important Cultural Property
員数: 1個
分類: 考古
品質形状: 土製
種別: 考古:材質:土・陶・磁
法量: 高19.2 幅14.1 厚さ6.8 重量790

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