Dogū

Dogu (Japanese: 土偶, IPA: [doɡɯː]; literally "earthen figure") are small humanoid and animal figurines made during the later part of the Jōmon period (14,000–400 BC) of prehistoric Japan.

The purpose of the dogū remains unknown and should not be confused with the clay haniwa funerary objects of the Kofun period (250 – 538 C.E.).

Some scholars theorize the dogū acted as effigies of people, that manifested some kind of sympathetic magic.

[4] Most of the figurines appear to be modeled as female, and have big eyes, small waists, and wide hips.

[citation needed] The name shakōki (literally "light-blocking device") comes from the resemblance of the figures' eyes to traditional Inuit snow goggles.

Dogū , Ebisuda site in Tajiri , Miyagi Prefecture , 1000–400 BC.
Shakōkidogū ( 遮光器土偶 ) (1000–400 BC), "goggle-eyed type" figurine. Tokyo National Museum , Japan .