Jomon period (about 10,000 - 300 BC), Kasori E-2 type, About 3000 BC

Jomon means "rope pattern" and refers to the pattern found on the lower portion of pots such as this. Twisted rice straw was rolled across the damp clay creating this characteristic pattern. This is still ...

Joseon period (1392-1910), 17th century

This jar was made in two halves, as evidenced from the groove in the center where the two pieces were joined. The jar was then decorated with a freely drawn dragon then fired. The numerous imperfections ...

Late 9th century

High relief sculpture depicting a four-armed iconic form of Vishnu; figure wears highly decorative conical crown, jewelry and floral garland, lotus halo framing head

Chola dynasty (300 BC-AD 1279), About 1150

According to legend, Vishnu and Brahma were quarrelling in the absence of time between two eons when they were interrupted by the radiance of a pillar of fire that arose from the ocean in the dark flood ...

Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), About 1450

Amitabha is the Buddha of Infinite Light, one of the most popular of the Buddhist gods. He lives in the Western Paradise (Sukhavati Paradise), the Pure Land he created, where the faithful pray to be reborn. ...

Heian period (794-1185), About 1100

Jizo Bosatsu always appears as a kindly Buddhist monk. Shrines to him are in every Japanese neighborhood where local groups dress him and make offerings of flowers and food. This image was never painted ...

Warring States period, (475 BC - 221 BC), About 300 BC

"The Songs of Chu" is a collection of 3rd century B.C. poems from the south China state of Chu. It is a treasure trove of information about how the people lived at the time. For example, the poems reveal ...

Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), About 1300

During his search for enlightenment, Sakyamuni spent many years traveling from one holy man to another seeking guidance. Lost in meditation for days at a time, he lived in the open and ate very little. ...