Treasures of JapanA catalogue of Japan's designated cultural properties 2,690 works catalogued

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Important Cultural Property

Conch-Shaped Clay Object

巻貝形土製品

At a glance — Archaeological Object · Heian 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: Heian period
Date: 1000
Held by: Tokyo National Museum
Location: Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID: cobas-115673

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

The prehistoric Jōmon people often made clay vessels imitating seashells. This painstakingly crafted example likely served as a vessel for pouring liquids, with the opening functioning as a spout. The red pigment applied over the entire surface suggests this piece also fulfilled a ritual purpose.

— 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-115673 (permanent)
Official record: Japan Search — jpsearch.go.jp/item/cobas-115673
Holder's collection: ColBase — Tokyo National Museum
Photograph: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0. CC BY 4.0 licence

Cite this page: “Conch-Shaped Clay Object（巻貝形土製品）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-115673. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/conch-shaped-clay-object/ — 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: 長16.6 幅11.0 厚さ8.0

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