Gangū
{{Short description|Type of Japanese archaeological artefact}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
File:青森県南部町小向 岩偶 (J-37266).JPG gangū excavated in Nanbu, Aomori Prefecture (Tokyo National Museum){{cite web |url=https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/519706 |script-title=ja:岩偶 |trans-title=Gangū |language=ja |publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs |access-date=3 March 2025}}]]
{{nihongo|Gangū|岩偶}}, sometimes translated as "stone figurines"{{cite web |url=https://www.tnm.jp/modules/r_exhibition/index.php?controller=item&id=5505 |title=Dogu: Objects for Prayer from the Jomon Period |publisher=Tokyo National Museum |access-date=3 March 2025}} or "stone figures",{{cite book |title=The Power of Dogu: Ceramic Figures from Ancient Japan |editor=Kaner, Simon |publisher=The British Museum Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-0714124643 |pages=129, 168}} are the counterparts in stone to the clay dogū of Jōmon Japan.
Overview
The earliest-known stone figures from Japan include a "kokeshi-shape" figurine from the palaeolithic Iwato Site in Ōita Prefecture{{cite journal |url=https://www.museum.tohoku.ac.jp/pdf/press_info/bulletin/No09/bulletin_09_04.pdf |title=Reevaluation of the Late Paleolithic Industries excavated at the Iwato site |author-last=Yanagida |author-first=Toshio |journal=Bulletin of Tohoku University Museum |volume=9 |pages=49–110 |year=2010}}{{rp|49}} and a number of Incipient Jōmon line-incised stones from Kamikuroiwa Iwakage Site in Ehime Prefecture.{{cite web |url=https://www.i-manabi.jp/system/regionals/regionals/ecode:2/61/view/7579 |script-title=ja:上黒岩岩陰遺跡からの線刻礫 |trans-title=Line-incised Stones from the Kamikuroiwa-Iwakage Site |language=ja |publisher={{ill|Ehime Prefectural Lifelong Learning Center|ja|愛媛県生涯学習センター}} |access-date=3 March 2025}}{{rp|164}} Known in far fewer numbers than dogū, gangū have been found from contexts dating throughout the Jōmon period, with earlier examples being typically simpler in form.{{cite web |url=https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/591840 |script-title=ja:岩偶 |trans-title=Gangū |language=ja |publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs |access-date=3 March 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.city.goshogawara.lg.jp/kyouiku/bunka/ganguu.html |script-title=ja:岩偶 |trans-title=Gangū |language=ja |publisher=Goshogawara City |access-date=3 March 2025}} They are generally made from stone that is relatively easy to work, including pumice, tuff, mudstone, and sandstone.{{cite web |url=https://www.pref.kagoshima.jp/ab23/reimeikan/josetsu/theme/genshi/jomon/kgs01_s2_3.html |script-title=ja:岩偶・土偶 |trans-title=Gangū and Dogū |language=ja |publisher=Kagoshima Prefecture |access-date=3 March 2025}} As with the clay dogū, many of those excavated were already broken in Jōmon times, likely indicative of some aspect of their ritual function. More voluptuous examples with prominent breasts may represent a fertility goddess and/or relate to motherhood.
Important Cultural Properties
One gangū has been designated an Important Cultural Property:
- Early Jōmon gangū ({{convert|15.0|cm}}) from Uchitai Site in Kosaka, Akita Prefecture (Keio University){{rp|165}}{{cite web |url=https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/201/9955 |script-title=ja:岩偶 |trans-title=Gangū |language=ja |publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs |access-date=3 March 2025}}
Other ''gangū''
- Final Jōmon gangū ({{convert|16.0|cm}}) from Horowata, Iwaizumi, Iwate Prefecture (Japanese Folk Crafts Museum){{rp|224}}{{cite web |url=https://mingeikan.or.jp/collection/japan5_11/ |script-title=ja:岩偶 |trans-title=Gangū |language=ja |publisher=Japanese Folk Crafts Museum |access-date=3 March 2025}}
- Final Jōmon gangū ({{convert|11.7|cm}}) from Kannonbayashi Site in Goshogawara, Aomori Prefecture (Tachineputa Museum){{cite book |script-title=ja:縄文―1万年の美の鼓動 |trans-title=Jomon: 10,000 Years of Prehistoric Art in Japan |language=Japanese |editor1=Tokyo National Museum |editor2=NHK |editor3=The Asahi Shimbun |publisher=NHK, The Asahi Shimbun |year=2018}}{{rp|166}}
- Final Jōmon Kamegaoka {{ill|Kamegaoka culture|ja|亀ヶ岡文化|lt=culture}} gangū ({{convert|9.8|cm}}) from Towada, Aomori Prefecture (Kyushu National Museum){{cite web |url=https://collection.kyuhaku.jp/gallery/39302.html |script-title=ja:岩偶 |trans-title=Gangū |language=ja |publisher=Kyushu National Museum |access-date=3 March 2025}}
See also
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References
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Category:Japanese artefact types