Fertile periods of artistic endeavor are not hard to come by in Japanese history. Many would cite, for example, the Edo (1603-1868), Muromachi (1392-1573), or Heian (794-1185) periods. Few, however, would mention the ancient Jomon Period (10,000-200 B.C. )in the same breath.
The Tokyo National Museum aims to change that with its ¡°Jomon: 10,000 Years of Prehistoric Art in Japan¡± exhibition, which has rounded up more than 200 items ¡ª everything from ancient jars to masks.
Jomon artifacts have been discovered across the country, from as far north as Hokkaido down to Kyushu. The Jomon Period ¡ª which is actually divided into a series of smaller periods ¡ª lasted from roughly 10,000 to 200 B.C., although this exhibition also includes items from the Yayoi Period (200 B.C.-A.D. 250) that followed it.
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