Jomon Culture 10,500 -300 BC The best known artworks from the Jomon period are the bold "cord markings" pottery vases, jars and figures. This is from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Timeline of Art History. The Japanese developed the first ceramics in the world, about 16,000 BC.

Fire Over Earth Through the seven artworks in this Asia Society web exhibition, you'll learn about the ceramic traditions of China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia. This area of the world is rich in clay and the minerals needed to make brilliant artworks that are artistically beautiful and technically outstanding.

E-Yakimono II is on online bookstore concentrating on Japanese ceramics (the "e" is for "electronic," not the Japanese for "picture"). There is a lot of general information about ceramics, the best traditional potters in Japan today, and a guide to glazes, kilns, and types of pottery, ie. Bizen, Kyo-yaki, and Karatsu. Each topic has links to many other sites on the subject. Excellent site!

The Potter's Brush is a web exhibit organized by the Freer & Sackler Galleries. It gives one example of each of six styles that developed from Ogata Kenzan's pioneering work in tea ceremony ceramics and other ceramic styles.

Mingei Thanks to the e-yakimomo web site there is an introductory essay on the minge movement and links to other essays and photos about major potters in the movement and museums featuring the National Living Treasures and their work.

Pottery is a short essay with illustrations from the Japan National Tourist Association.