Figurine

This distinctive type of figurine is referred to as mimizuku (owl) because of the distinctive circular eyes. It is solid, relatively flat, with a shallow cavity in the top of the head, prominent ear discs and triangular legs with cord-impressed patterns on both front and back. Two types of this jōmon pattern are clearly visible on the front. The back of the head is marked with concentric circles and crescent designs. There is a raised lump at the nape of the neck and three oblong panels beneath the chin. These panels, the hair (or head-dress), the back of the head and the five prominent discs all have traces of red pigment. Other examples have been found in Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo (see Kidder, 1965: pl. v, fig. 31). This example is reported by the vendor to have been found at Chbfu city, Chiba Prefecture, adjacent to Saitama.

Entry taken from Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection 3 volume catalogue, edited by Steven Hooper (Yale University Press, 1997).