Jomon pot. This jomon cooking pot was about 2000 years earlier then flame and crown pots in the centre of the room. The rim is decorated with marks incised with a stick or finger nail and the cord markings are clearly visible. It was probably uncovered by a farmer in the 19th century and spotted by a tea master who thought it would make a fine water vessel (mizusashi) for a tea gathering. Gold leaf and lacquer was applied to the interior of the prehistoric vessel and a wodden lid was constructed with a snail decoration, alluding to the pot's unearthing from the soil. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images)