Haunting Dogu, Puzzling Kappa and an Epiphany after Saving a Turtle!

Episode Intro

Last week I shared stories of my recent trip to Japan. There's one story, though, that's taken on a life of its own since being stateside once again. It all began with a visit to Tokyo National Museum in Uedo Park, seeing objects that have become icons in the UFO/UAP communities. If that wasn't enough, those odd clay figures led me to seek out some of the burial pyramids where they were found. And because I can't let sleeping dogs lie, I dug into the theories about the dogu figures, which I can't wait to share with you. So enough build up, let's get into it!

High Strangeness at Tokyo National Museum

If you listen to Curious Cat in order, first, thank you so much. But, second, I'm sorry you've heard this part of the story before, apologies. 

Next, we entered a building of archeological finds. Many came from the Kofun period, the 3rd to 6th century, and were buried beneath family dwellings or in burial tombs. The energy was reverent, whispering, hallowed, still, as objects made for the dead sat exposed for the living, the light was soft, but was never meant to touch these. I was keenly aware and took few photos, even though they were allowed. It felt wrong.

This area held the dogu. They are unusual sculptures in a variety of forms. Many, most actually, were broken in half intentionally, and buried beneath the floors of family dwellings. And then I saw the figure I'd seen countless times as I watched Ancient Aliens. A goggle-eyed figure, one leg broken clean off, supported by a block of stone. It did look alien, like a person in a space suit. I looked at the backside, the side they never showed in all those episodes. I took photos and my ghost app came on, words lighting up my phone screen, "Dust, Within, Low." That was it.

These figures are strange, and I found two more examples of the goggled-eyed ones that I'd never seen before and shot photos. Many have speculated on dogu, saying they are fertility symbols, akin to Venus of Willendorf, or ritualistic. 

These figures are OLD. And much of the information about them on the internet is stale, clearly repeated from other sources, but there are very few fresh takes. It's frustrating. 

 Some of the information though is verified. Take this from Google, "dogū, abstract clay figurines, generally of pregnant females, made in Japan during the Jōmon period (c. 10,500 to c. 300 bce). Dogū are reminiscent of the rigidly frontal fertility figures produced by other prehistoric cultures."

Sources and Materials

Dogu figures: https://www.wasshoimagazine.org/blog/discovering-japan/dogu

Another great article about the strange mystery of dogu figurines. https://artscape.jp/artscape/eng/ht/1212.html

https://artrkl.com/blogs/news/the-mystery-of-japans-dog-figures

Best images of dogu with lots of links for further reading

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