VOX POPULI: Jomon relic a timeless reminder of beauty

The secret of the beauty of the Venus de Milo is said to be in the so-called golden ratio.

When a line is broken into two unequal segments, if the length of the longer segment divided by the smaller one is equal to their combined length divided by the longer segment, the two lines are within the golden ratio. It is approximately 1 to 1.6.

Since ancient times, the golden ratio has been considered the most aesthetically desirable ratio among humans.

When the statue is measured, the golden ratio becomes apparent in many places, such as in the ratios of the sizes of the upper and lower body, the width of the buttocks to that of the chest and the length and width of the face. Apparently, that is why it is considered universally beautiful.

Reading Sunday's edition of the vernacular Asahi Shimbun, I was attracted to the graceful photograph of the "Venus of Jomon," although it appears to have nothing to do with the golden ratio.

It is one of the oldest dogu clay figurines in Japan and was found at the Aidanikumahara ruins in Shiga Prefecture. It is believed to date back about 13,000 years to the incipient Jomon Pottery Culture era (c. 8000 B.C.-300 B.C.).

With gently sloping shoulders and full breasts, the figurine shows a woman's upper body. Although it is small, measuring only about 3 centimeters, it is quite imposing.

I wonder what ancient hands sculpted this human figure. The voluptuous curves seem to be a song in praise of maternity.

Most Jomon clay figurines are of women. According to experts, they bear wishes for fertility and abundance and were also used for magical rites of regeneration.

While looking at the plumpish figurine, I found myself thinking about the golden ratio among modern women. I hear they are becoming slimmer and slimmer out of an excessive desire to lose weight. It appears many pregnant women also do not want to gain weight, but this is not good for the fetus.

In ancient times before the start of farming, people must have given shape to their wishes for a "full stomach" in the voluptuous curves of clay figures.

Over time, we have come to live in an age of satiation. How do you feel now having been woken from a long sleep? I want to gently put this question to the Venus of Jomon.

--The Asahi Shimbun, June 1

* * *

Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.