Clay Figurine ("Dogū") with Goggle-Like Eyes

遮光器土偶

Details — at full resolution

Detail 1 of Clay Figurine ("Dogū") with Goggle-Like Eyes — DETAIL 1 — a section of the work at full resolution (cropped).

Detail 2 of Clay Figurine ("Dogū") with Goggle-Like Eyes — DETAIL 2 — a section of the work at full resolution (cropped).

Detail 3 of Clay Figurine ("Dogū") with Goggle-Like Eyes — DETAIL 3 — a section of the work at full resolution (cropped).

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-115639

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

Japan’s prehistoric hunter-gatherers made intricate clay figurines. This one has large eyes resembling snow goggles worn by the Inuit people to protect their eyes from sunlight reflecting off ice and snow. However, scholars are unsure what these goggle-like eyes truly represent. The wide hips suggest the figurine was likely created as a talisman for 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-115639 (permanent)
Official record: Japan Search — jpsearch.go.jp/item/cobas-115639
Holder's collection: ColBase — Tokyo National Museum
Photograph: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0. Detail views are crops of the same image. CC BY 4.0 licence

Cite this page: “Clay Figurine ("Dogū") with Goggle-Like Eyes（遮光器土偶）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-115639. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/clay-figurine-dog-with-goggle-like-eyes/ — 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35.7 幅21 厚さ10.1 重量1368

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