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JOMON, ca. 10,500 - 300 BCE, was made of clay. 

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According to the video "Early Art in Japan's Jomon, Yayoi, and Kofun Period," the Jomon period was based on pottery vessels with Jomon's, also known as "cord marking" on reed baskets but in clay form. These clay vases were used for hunter-gatherer culture (no agriculture) so this consisted of food they hunted in the wild. According to Stokstad and Cothren, they also created small figures called "dogu" which were interpreted as effigies that manifested sympathetic magic. They were also shaped from clay and most likely used in rituals. Dogu's tend to have exaggerated faces and contorted poses.

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ISE GRAND SHRINE, made during the Yayoi period. Has been rebuilt multiple times after. 

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This was the beginning of an agricultural nation! According to Stokstad and Cothren, "bronze was used to create weapons as well as ceremonial objects such as bells," like the Dotaku (bell). Metal technology was introduced by Korean and China settlers, so it was the start of agricultural development. TO add on, in the Grand Shrine of Isa picture above, the video "The Mystical Spirit of the East" explains that part of the significance of the shrine is to have an opportunity to believe and have faith in Buddhism. It's to increase spiritual practices and it's up to the person to discover what level of Buddhism they want to reach. The shrine is known to be built in the Yayoi period, but it has been rebuilt ever since to keep its structure intact. With it being rebuilt, the history and Buddhism beliefs lie within for people to continue following.

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According to Stokstad and Cothren, "Japan gained knowledge of finishing techniques and improved kilns and began to produce high-fired ceramic ware." An example of their high-fired ceramic ware is the Haniwa, like the picture above. Haniwa's included cylinders, buildings, and human figures that were placed on top of Japanese tombs or burial mounds. All these figurines have a story to tell or represent something intriguing to one's dynasty. This one, in particular, chose what looks like a person made out of ceramic ware used for ritual practices and honoring the dead.

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AERIAL VIEW OF THE HORYUGI COMPOUND, 7th century CE. 

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According to Stokstad and Cothren, the Asuka period had "new forms of philosophy, medicine, music, food, clothing, agriculture, city planning, religion, visual art, and architecture entered Japan from Korea and China at an astonishing pace." From the art perspective, there were flourishing art contexts like Buddhist symbols, lotus flower, lotus throne, chakra, marks of a Buddha, and the mandala. In the picture above is one of the most significant surviving early Japanese temples, Horyugi. Plus, this was a time of shrines decorated with paintings in lacquer.

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KASUGA SHRINE MANDALA, 645-794 CE, made of ink on a silk roll. 

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According to Stokstad and Cothren, the strongest construction during the Nara period were the magnificent Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. In the picture above is the largest and most important expansive park including the Shinto Kasuga Shrine. The seated Buddhas above were inspired by Chinese tradition. This is an example of how Chinese cultural traditions and artistic style was adopted. According to the video about the Nara period, this was also a time of the Chinese script and a centralized government structure. With Buddhist faith, it permeated all aspects of Nara court society.

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SECTION OF NIGHT ATTACK ON THE SANJO PALACE, 1185-1333 CE, made of handscroll with ink and colors on paper. 

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According to Stokstad and Cothren, "the artists conveyed the sense of eyewitness reporting even though imagining the scene from verbal - at best semifactual - descriptions." For example, in the art piece above also known as "The Battle of the Sanjo Palace," the intricate detail and colors tell a story of the Kamakura period. This was a time when Pure Land Buddhist beliefs swept through Japan that taught were shown in lots of their period's paintings. Paintings focused on the natural settings that referred to a traditional Japanese appreciation for the land they admired.