Home Region:  Northeast Asia (East Asia)

Japan - Late Jomon

2500 BCE 1200 BCE

G SC WF EQ 2020  jp_jomon_5 / JpJomo5

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Preceding Entity: Add one more here.
3500 BCE 2500 BCE Japan - Middle Jomon (jp_jomon_4)    [continuity]

Succeeding Entity: Add one more here.
1200 BCE 300 BCE Japan - Final Jomon (jp_jomon_6)    [continuity]

No General Descriptions provided.

General Variables
Social Complexity Variables
Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Economy Variables (Luxury Goods)
Luxury Goods
Religion Variables Coding in Progress.
Human Sacrifice Coding in Progress.
Crisis Consequences Coding in Progress.
Power Transitions Coding in Progress.

NGA Settlements:

Year Range Japan - Late Jomon (jp_jomon_5) was in:
 (2500 BCE 1201 BCE)   Kansai
Home NGA: Kansai

General Variables
Identity and Location
Utm Zone:
53 S
[-2500, -1200]

Original Name:
Japan - Late Jomon
[-2500, -1200]

"The Japanese word Jomon literally means cord-marked, a term given to decoration applied to pottery with the impressions of twisted cords. The term was first used in the report of what is widely regarded as the first scientific archaeological excavation in Japan, at the Omori shell mounds near present-day Tokyo, written by Edward Sylvester Morse, in 1879. This term was subsequently used to refer to the archaeological period during which this pottery was used." [1]

[1]: (Kaner & Nakamura 2004, i)


Capital:
absent
[-2500, -1200]

Kidder, Jr. [1] lists Jomon communities among "various groups [that] existed on the Japanese islands before one particularly powerful clan initiated a centralization process that led to the formation of the Yamato kingdom." This suggests that there was no capital.

[1]: (Kidder, Jr. 2008, 48)


Temporal Bounds
Duration:
[2500 BCE ➜ 1200 BCE]
 

[1]

[1]: (Kobayashi 2004, 5)


Political and Cultural Relations
Succeeding Entity:
Japan - Final Jomon
[-2500, -1200]

[1]

[1]: (Kobayashi 2004, 5)


Relationship to Preceding Entity:
continuity
[-2500, -1200]

Succeeding Entity:
1200 BCE 300 BCE Japan - Final Jomon (jp_jomon_6)    [continuity]  
 
Preceding Entity:
3500 BCE 2500 BCE Japan - Middle Jomon (jp_jomon_4)    [continuity]  
 

[1]

[1]: (Kobayashi 2004, 5)


Degree of Centralization:
quasi-polity
[-2500, -1200]

Kidder, Jr. [1] lists Jomon communities among "various groups [that] existed on the Japanese islands before one particularly powerful clan initiated a centralization process that led to the formation of the Yamato kingdom."

[1]: (Kidder, Jr. 2008, 48)


Language
Linguistic Family:
NO_VALUE_ON_WIKI
[-2500, -1200]

Language:
uncoded
[-2500, -1200]

It seems most likely that the Jomon people spoke a language similar to Ainu [1] .

[1]: (Hudson 1999, 83-102)


Religion

Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale
Population of the Largest Settlement:
[400 to 500] people
[-2500, -1200]

Inhabitants. Some villages could get as large as 400 to 500 people in early and middle, and later Jomon periods, and could have up to 40 or 50 houses in a settlement. [1]

[1]: (Barnes 2015: 131) Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/T5SRVKXV.


Polity Population:
[400 to 1,000] people
[-2500, -1200]

People. Minimum is the population of a large village; maximum assuming that half of the polity population was in the central village.
160,300 [1] estimate for entire region

[1]: (Habu 2004, 46-50)


Hierarchical Complexity
Settlement Hierarchy:
2
[-2500, -1200]

levels. Large villages (400 to 500 people) and small settlements. [1]

[1]: (Barnes 2015: 131) Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/T5SRVKXV.


Religious Level:
1
[-2500, -1200]

levels.
Earliest evidence for the existence of ritual specialists dates to this period.


Professions
Professional Soldier:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Full-time specialists


Professional Priesthood:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Full-time specialists


Professional Military Officer:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Full-time specialists


Bureaucracy Characteristics
Specialized Government Building:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

The earliest evidence for a “bureaucratic machinery” appears to date to the late fifth century CE [1] .

[1]: (Steenstrup 2011, 11)


Merit Promotion:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

The earliest evidence for a “bureaucratic machinery” appears to date to the late fifth century CE [1] .

[1]: (Steenstrup 2011, 11)


Full Time Bureaucrat:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

The earliest evidence for a “bureaucratic machinery” appears to date to the late fifth century CE [1] .

[1]: (Steenstrup 2011, 11)


Examination System:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

The earliest evidence for a “bureaucratic machinery” appears to date to the late fifth century CE [1] .

[1]: (Steenstrup 2011, 11)


Law
Professional Lawyer:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Judge:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Formal Legal Code:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Inferred from the fact that writing was only introduced in Japan in the fifth century CE [1] .

[1]: (Frellesvig 2010, 11)


Court:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Specialized Buildings: polity owned
Market:
Unknown
[-2500, -1200]

Irrigation System:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

"It is clear that cultivation did appear in the Jomon period, but it is equally clear that it remained a minor activity that did not contribute significantly to the growth of social complexity (Rowley-Conwy 2002:62). In fact, Hudson (1997) has that the of full-scale rejection agriculture was one characteristic shared by argued Jomon societies." [1] .

[1]: (Pearson 2007, 363)


Food Storage Site:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Generally speaking, the Jomon stored food in pits that were part of residential sites, not at different sites altogether [1] .

[1]: (Habu 2004, 64-70)


Drinking Water Supply System:
Unknown
[-2500, -1200]

Transport Infrastructure
Road:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Inferred from the fact that roads are nor mentioned by a number of sources providing comprehensive overviews of Jomon life (e.g. [1] [2] )--even in chapters dedicated to trade and exchange, only water transport is discussed [3] .

[1]: (Habu 2004)

[2]: (Kobayashi 2004)

[3]: (Habu 2004, 236)


Special-purpose Sites
Mines or Quarry:
Present
[-2500, -1200]

Obsidian mines. "In contrast, large-sized mining sites in which underground obsidian nodules were dug out by means of numerous pits emerged in the Central Highlands during the Jomon Period. The systematic digging technology is characteristic of Jomon procurement activities. Although the earliest mining pit dates back to the late phase of the Incipient Jomon, the historical process with regard to the emergence of the digging technology for the mining is still ambiguous." [1]

[1]: (Shimada 2012, 240)


Information / Writing System
Written Record:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

“To all appearances, writing as such, in the form of Chinese Classics, was introduced into Japan early in the fifth century as part of the great cultural influx from Paekche.” [1]

[1]: (Frellesvig 2010, 11)


Script:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

“To all appearances, writing as such, in the form of Chinese Classics, was introduced into Japan early in the fifth century as part of the great cultural influx from Paekche.” [1]

[1]: (Frellesvig 2010, 11)


Phonetic Alphabetic Writing:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

“To all appearances, writing as such, in the form of Chinese Classics, was introduced into Japan early in the fifth century as part of the great cultural influx from Paekche.” [1]

[1]: (Frellesvig 2010, 11)


Information / Kinds of Written Documents
Scientific Literature:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

“To all appearances, writing as such, in the form of Chinese Classics, was introduced into Japan early in the fifth century as part of the great cultural influx from Paekche.” [1]

[1]: (Frellesvig 2010, 11)


Sacred Text:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

“To all appearances, writing as such, in the form of Chinese Classics, was introduced into Japan early in the fifth century as part of the great cultural influx from Paekche.” [1]

[1]: (Frellesvig 2010, 11)


Religious Literature:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

“To all appearances, writing as such, in the form of Chinese Classics, was introduced into Japan early in the fifth century as part of the great cultural influx from Paekche.” [1]

[1]: (Frellesvig 2010, 11)


Practical Literature:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

“To all appearances, writing as such, in the form of Chinese Classics, was introduced into Japan early in the fifth century as part of the great cultural influx from Paekche.” [1]

[1]: (Frellesvig 2010, 11)


Philosophy:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

“To all appearances, writing as such, in the form of Chinese Classics, was introduced into Japan early in the fifth century as part of the great cultural influx from Paekche.” [1]

[1]: (Frellesvig 2010, 11)


Lists Tables and Classification:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

“To all appearances, writing as such, in the form of Chinese Classics, was introduced into Japan early in the fifth century as part of the great cultural influx from Paekche.” [1]

[1]: (Frellesvig 2010, 11)


History:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

“To all appearances, writing as such, in the form of Chinese Classics, was introduced into Japan early in the fifth century as part of the great cultural influx from Paekche.” [1]

[1]: (Frellesvig 2010, 11)


Fiction:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

“To all appearances, writing as such, in the form of Chinese Classics, was introduced into Japan early in the fifth century as part of the great cultural influx from Paekche.” [1]

[1]: (Frellesvig 2010, 11)


Calendar:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

“To all appearances, writing as such, in the form of Chinese Classics, was introduced into Japan early in the fifth century as part of the great cultural influx from Paekche.” [1]

[1]: (Frellesvig 2010, 11)


Information / Money
Paper Currency:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Paper currency first introduced in the 1600s [1] .

[1]: (Snodgrass 2003, 254)


Indigenous Coin:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

“Japan retained a barter system until the AD 600s [...]. Inspired by circulation of Chinese cash coppers, the island nation first produced extensive coinage after AD 708, when the Empress Genmyo turned new strikes of copper ore into coins.” [1]

[1]: (Snodgrass 2003, 253)


Information / Postal System
Postal Station:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

General Postal Service:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Information / Measurement System

Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications
Wooden Palisade:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Stone Walls Non Mortared:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Stone Walls Mortared:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Settlements in a Defensive Position:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Modern Fortification:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Moat:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Fortified Camp:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Earth Rampart:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Ditch:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Complex Fortification:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Long Wall:
absent
[-2500, -1200]

Military use of Metals
Steel:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Metalworking began in the Yayoi period [1] .

[1]: (Mizoguchi 2013, 140)


Iron:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Metalworking began in the Yayoi period [1] .

[1]: (Mizoguchi 2013, 140)


Copper:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Metalworking began in the Yayoi period [1] .

[1]: (Mizoguchi 2013, 140)


Bronze:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Metalworking began in the Yayoi period [1] .

[1]: (Mizoguchi 2013, 140)


Projectiles
Tension Siege Engine:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Sling Siege Engine:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Sling:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Self Bow:
Present
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful. [1] [2]

[1]: J. Edward Kidder, Jr., ‘The earliest societies in Japan’, in Delmer M. Brown The Cambridge History of Japan, Cambrudge: Cambridge University Press, 1993, pp. 73-74

[2]: Peter Bleed & Akira Matsui, ‘Why Didn’t Agriculture Develop in Japan? A Consideration of Jomon Ecological Style, Niche Construction, and the Origins of Domestication’, Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 2010, Volume 17, Issue 4, p. 364


Javelin:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Handheld Firearm:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Gunpowder was introduced in Japan in 1543 [1] .

[1]: (Maruyama 2000, 22)


Gunpowder Siege Artillery:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

Gunpowder was introduced in Japan in 1543 [1] .

[1]: (Maruyama 2000, 22)


Crossbow:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Composite Bow:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Atlatl:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Handheld weapons
War Club:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Sword:
Present
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful. [1]

[1]: J. Edward Kidder, Jr., ‘The earliest societies in Japan’, in Delmer M. Brown The Cambridge History of Japan, Cambrudge: Cambridge University Press, 1993, p. 75


Spear:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Polearm:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Dagger:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Battle Axe:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful. [1]

[1]: J. Edward Kidder, Jr., ‘The earliest societies in Japan’, in Delmer M. Brown The Cambridge History of Japan, Cambrudge: Cambridge University Press, 1993, pp. 73-74


Animals used in warfare
Horse:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Elephant:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful. And elephants are not native to Japan or its neighbouring regions.


Donkey:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Dog:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Camel:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful. And camels are not native to Japan or its neighbouring regions.


Armor
Wood Bark Etc:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Shield:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Scaled Armor:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Plate Armor:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Limb Protection:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Leather Cloth:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Laminar Armor:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Helmet:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Chainmail:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Breastplate:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Naval technology
Specialized Military Vessel:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.


Small Vessels Canoes Etc:
Present
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful. [1] [2]

[1]: Kidder Jr., J. Edward, 2007. Himiko and Japan’s Elusive Kingdom of Yamatai (Honolulu: Hawaii University Press). p. 41

[2]: Peter Bleed & Akira Matsui, ‘Why Didn’t Agriculture Develop in Japan? A Consideration of Jomon Ecological Style, Niche Construction, and the Origins of Domestication’, Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 2010, Volume 17, Issue 4, p. 360


Merchant Ships Pressed Into Service:
Absent
[-2500, -1200]

No archaeological evidence for this. Moreover, the scholarly consensus is that the Jomon were relatively peaceful.



Economy Variables (Luxury Goods)
Luxury Goods

Human Sacrifice Data
Human Sacrifice is the deliberate and ritualized killing of a person to please or placate supernatural entities (including gods, spirits, and ancestors) or gain other supernatural benefits.
Coding in Progress.
Coding in Progress.
Power Transitions
Coding in Progress.