Dogu

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Dogu (土偶, Dogū) (1000-400 BC),
"goggle-eyed type" figurine.
Tokyo National Museum, Japan.

Dogu (土偶, Dogū, "clay idol/figurine") are small humanoid figurines made during the late Jōmon period of Ancient Japan. Made from clay, these figurines were never realistic, but rather were distorted into fascinating shapes. The Dogū tend to have large faces, small arms and hands, and compact bodies. Some wear goggles or have heart-shaped faces. Most have marks on the face, chest and shoulders, which suggest tattooing, and were probably incised with bamboo.

Dogū come entirely from the Jōmon period, and do not continue to the Yayoi period. Same as Jomon pottery, Dogū has various styles by an exhumation area and the generation. According to the National Museum of Japanese History, the exhumation total number of all over Japan is approximately 15,000 bodies. Most of the dogū have been found in East Japan, and it is rare to find one in West Japan.

The purpose of the Dogū remains unclear, but most likely, the dogu acted as effigies of people, that manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogū, then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. There are other theories that state that the Dogu may be linked to extra-terresterials. The figures resemble 'space suits' complete with rivets and a helmet/face mask. The large eyes are also reminiscent of the traditional 'Grey' type alien.

The Pokémon Baltoy, as well as its evolution Claydol, appears to have been based off the "spaceman" variety of dogū.