土器(どき)

どき
noun
earthenware; pottery
1. earthenware; pottery; clay vessel
Containers or vessels made from clay that are fired at relatively low temperatures, typically without glazing. In archaeology, refers to ancient pottery artifacts.
考古学者(こうこがくしゃ)が古(ふる)い土器(どき)を発見(はっけん)した。
An archaeologist discovered ancient earthenware.
縄文(じょうもん)土器(どき)は日本(にほん)の古代(こだい)文化(ぶんか)を示(しめ)している。
Jomon pottery shows ancient Japanese culture.
博物館(はくぶつかん)で土器(どき)の展示(てんじ)を見(み)た。
I saw the pottery exhibition at the museum.

土器(どき) refers to unglazed earthenware fired at low temperatures. It is a key term in Japanese archaeology and history. Composed of 土(ど) (earth/soil) + 器(き) (vessel/container).

Historical types

  • 縄文(じょうもん)土器(どき): Jomon pottery (ca. 14,000–300 BCE) — characterized by rope-pattern decorations
  • 弥生(やよい)土器(どき): Yayoi pottery (ca. 300 BCE–300 CE) — simpler, more functional designs
  • 土師器(はじき): Haji ware (ancient unglazed earthenware)

Distinction from similar terms

Usage

土器(どき) appears most often in archaeological and historical contexts. For modern pottery and ceramics, 陶器(とうき) or 焼(や)き物(もの) is more common.

Related Words

Related: 遺跡(いせき) (ruins, archaeological site)
Compare: 陶器(とうき) (ceramics, glazed pottery)
Compare: 磁器(じき) (porcelain)
Compare: 焼(や)き物(もの) (pottery)
Related: 考古学者(こうこがくしゃ) (archaeologist)
Related: 石器(せっき) (stone tool)
Related: 貝塚(かいづか) (shell mound)
general
Added 2026.2.3 11:58 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
09500/09658_doki