vered. In recent excavations, thousands of different vessels have been found, however it is possible to distinguish about forty basic shapes of the vessels. Each vessel served a different purpose in sacrifice or funeral ceremonies. Some where used for wine and water, some for storing foods, while others where used for cooking meats. The Shang dynasty have left some sculptures as original and different as there bronzes. However none of the large statue survived excavations. The importance of the excavations cannot be overemphasized. Who would have imagined an ancient culture so rich that they actually created stone sculptures, wheel made pottery, carved jade, and bronzes, which have never been surpassed.Too often when people speak of “Oriental art” they think that both China and Japan developed in the same way and the same time. This statement however is false, and the Japanese art did not start till several years after Chinese art did. The first forms of Japanese art can be looked at through the Jomon people, who where nomadic hunters and fishers. A number of human figurines and fertility gods have been found, also vessels made by the coiled clay method. The name Jomon, actually means “coiled rope”. The figures made by these people seem to be very imaginative, and possibly inspired by a fear in supernatural forces. The figures where made to be viewed only from the front, and although there where simply molded, some did have very elaborate decorations. When contacts with Asia and China where made, the style of Buddhist art was developed. This new form inspired sculptors and painters to have totally new viewpoints on their art.The Korean society was extremely influenced by Chinese culture. This did not stop Korean artists and craftsman from making their own original and distinct contributions to the world of art. In an expedition in 1909 many tombs where unearthed. In them they found mirrors weapo...
