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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.
考古学者が古い土器を発見した。
An archaeologist discovered ancient earthenware.
縄文土器は日本の古代文化を示している。
Jomon pottery shows ancient Japanese culture.
博物館で土器の展示を見た。
I saw the pottery exhibition at the museum.
土器 refers to unglazed earthenware fired at low temperatures. It is a key term in Japanese archaeology and history. Composed of 土 (earth/soil) + 器 (vessel/container).
HISTORICAL TYPES:
- 縄文土器: Jomon pottery (ca. 14,000–300 BCE) — characterized by rope-pattern decorations
- 弥生土器: Yayoi pottery (ca. 300 BCE–300 CE) — simpler, more functional designs
- 土師器: Haji ware (ancient unglazed earthenware)
DISTINCTION FROM SIMILAR TERMS:
- 陶器: ceramics, glazed pottery (fired at higher temperatures)
- 磁器: porcelain (high-temperature, translucent)
- 焼き物: pottery (general everyday term)
USAGE:
土器 appears most often in archaeological and historical contexts. For modern pottery and ceramics, 陶器 or 焼き物 is more common.