The hunter-gatherers of the period Jomon (13,680-410 BC) were not agricultural farmers. They were semi-nomadic, they would have lived in one of three main eco-systems: the inland mountain forests and around the freshwater lakes; or they would migrate seasonally between the forest and river estuaries; or between the Pacific beaches and rocky bluffs and the wooded highlands around the coast.

Imagine you are now one of these prehistoric hunter-gatherers. 

It is early spring, your tribe's food stores are running out, you leave your mountain homes to forage at the nearest estuary or seashore campsite.

What are you hoping to collect?

Answer: Fruits of the sea...shellfish of all sorts and tidal pool catches. But favorites of the Jomon were asari, shijimi, anadara cockles, sazae shellfish ... the main remains in shell middens from the Jomon period.  

What would you be busy doing by this stream?

Answer: Setting a weir trap or netting or spearing fish.

And what might you be out looking for in these woods in the spring? 

Answer: Spring shoots of various kinds. They are delicious in stews, and soups.

Left: Fern; Right: Bamboo shoot

Would you be picking in the mushroom on the left or the ones on the right?

LEFT! The mushroom on the left is a morel which pops up in April or May, and is considered a delicacy today.

DON'T EAT THE POISONOUS MUSHROOM ON THE RIGHT OR YOU DIE!!!

It is May and as summer signals the hot and humid season ahead, some interesting fruit can be seen in the forest at this time. Would you be interested in these fruit?

YES!!!  Mulberries on the left and wineberries on the right. They make delicious addition to the Jomon diet and were sometimes used to make fermented wine for ceremonial occasions.  

Would this tree interest you? If so why?

Answer: It is a cryptomeria japonica tree (also known as the Japanese cedar tree) that gives straight and sturdy logs, so you'd be wanting to cut down this one for making a logboat or dug out canoe.

Summer is nigh. What would you expect to do out here on the coast?

Answer:  The sea would be a great test of your prowess as a hunter-fisherman. You would get to show off your seafaring skills in fishing expeditions as you head out to open sea or to bays areas. Pacific salmon, tuna, sea bass, bream and perch are some of your targeted catches, some of which will feed your village, others will be salted, and traded for other goods. You will vie with other hunters to bring home the best and largest catch! Whales, dolphins ... when these are caught will be a great cause for feasting and celebration later. For these will provide enough meat to be shared between several communities in the neighborhood.   

NOT THIS FISH SURELY!  It's a venomous pufferfish, yet... remains have been found in Jomon kitchen middens, so the Japanese tradition of skilful preparation of the fugu blowfish probably began in very very early times.  

The hot humid summer seems to drag on and on. But in between the many spells of heavy rains, there is much to do.  Much work has to be done building and repairing homes, mending of the nets. And there are always so many tools to be made...and repaired with asphalt. All dreadfully tedious and arduous work, but necessary work before hunting or preparing the food that will be gathered from summer to fall.

Right: Chestnuts

Fall approaches. Everyone is anticipating cooler temperatures...and the bounty of foods from the forest.

What might you be looking forward to gathering from the woods?  

Answer: You would be able to gather a succession of different nuts during the season. With walnuts, acorns and chestnuts, you could grind these into flour to make breads or cookie-like foods.

Chestnuts are the main staple for your tribe and many tribles everywhere, that often your people tend these trees carefully. At times, the land is cleared of weeds or burned to make room for chestnut trees and saplings and seedlings to grow.

Above: Acorns from beech and oak trees

Below: Walnuts

Sometimes, you add to your staple foods condiments like shiso mint for that extra perk in flavoring.  

Although chestnuts and acorns were most commonly seen all over Japan during the Jomon period, other staple foods could be seen among mountain tribes. They tended a number of root plants that provided starches as a staple food that could last them through the winter. See if you can identify from the foods below which are the staple ons and which would just make extra side dishes.

Left: Native mountain yams (Discorea japonica)

Left: Taro potatoes were introduced by people who came from the south at some point. Right: Native mountain potatoes were a staple.

Mung beans (green gram) make a delicious soup or side dish but may not have been a staple.

Can you guess which of these grasses below aren't eaten?

Grasses were found usually growing wild around marshy areas.

Left: Barnyard millet (Echinocloa crus gali); Middle: Wild rice (Oryza sativa); Right: Barley (Hordeum vulgare)  The last one farthest right is a miscanthus grass used for thatching their homes.

However, none of the edible grasses were apparently staple foods during the Jomon period, probably added as fillers or ingredients to main vegetable stews or other dishes.

During the autumn season, two plants bore fruit that were used in brews that would be used during rituals and ceremonies. Can you identify these?

These are fruit of the niwatoko tree or elderberries.

KNOW YOUR FALL PLANTS OR YOU'RE DEAD! WHICH OF THE TWO PLANTS BELOW DO YOU THINK IS EDIBLE?

Native wild grapes (Vitis kiusiana)    (Right: closeup)

NOT this one! This is the deadly Aconite (foxgloves). The slightest trace of poison extracted from the root is used to smear arrowheads for killing large animals during hunting.

This is the kudzu vine (Pueraria lobata), the stems could be eaten and the roots could be used to make a starchy food.

Here are two very useful plants for making crafts. Do you know what they are used for?

Answer: This is the yama urushi tree (Rhus trichocarpa). Sap is taken from this tree over the summer through the fall and used to make lacquer. The lacquer is used to coat many items like bowls, pots, baskets, combs, jewellery. These crafts are highly valuable goods for trade and will bring your tribe greater wealth.

Answer: This is the hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) plant. Its fibres are used for making baskets, clothing, ropes and nets.

You spend a great deal of time hunting or gathering in the woods. What are your worst nightmares?

Answer: Hornets, bears and poisonous snakes! (Left: hornet; middle: a most poisonous snake, the mamushi , right: the yamakagashi and furthest right: the habu.)

It's winter, a-hunting we will go. What are your favourite targets?

Answer: Deer, wild boar, small mammals like the brown hare and ducks, other waterfowl and pheasants and small mammals like the brown hare.

END OF QUIZ