The Jomon period is the time from prehistoric Japan from about 16,500 to about 2,300 BC. when Japan was inhabited by a culture of hunter-gatherers, it reached a considerable degree of lodging and cultural entanglement. The term "with scar marks" is translated into Japanese as "Jomon". The pottery from the time of the first phase of the Jomon culture is decorated with a string imprint on the surface of the wet clay. Pottery dating back to about 16,000 years ago appears to be the second oldest in the world after the discovery in China.

This vessel, shown in the picture, is dated to 13000 BC, considered to be one of the earliest examples of sedentary culture; such vessels are usually made by women.