-
![]()
4 Conclusion: bridging the chasm
The Jomon culture still exerts great influence on us today. Okamoto Taro, a well-known
Japanese artist, created the Tower of the Sun for the Osaka Expo in 1970. It was inspired by
the dogu with a heart-shaped face.
Yamaoka Nobutaka, a movie director, had spent five years visiting 100 Jomon sites before
filming a movie about the Jomon culture. He says, "There is a great chasm separating the
Jomon period and us. But as we get to know more about it, we come to see something that
enables us to look at ourselves in new ways." When you look at these dogu, try to imagine that
they are looking back at you through 10,000-year-old eyes.
You sparked our interest in Australia's prehistoric art. We hope we've sparked your
interest in Japan's. Next year we hope some of you can come to visit us in Aomori. We'll go
together to Sannai-Maruyama. You'll see the Jomon culture up close.
Thank you. If you have any questions, we'd be happy to answer them.
3. もう一度本文を読んで以下の問いに答えましょう。
Q-1 According to Yamaoka, how do we learn to look at ourselves in new ways?
Q-2 What do the Japanese students hope the Australian students will do next year?
Q-3 Ayumi says, "The Jomon culture still exerts great influence on us today." What
evidence does she give us?
a. Copies of dogu have become popular among foreign visitors.
b. The Sannai-Maruyama site has become a major tourist spot.
c. The Jomon culture influenced both Okamoto Taro and Yamaoka Nobutaka.
