Jomon period, the Neolithic Era in Japan, lasted over 10,000 years. It was rich in countless decorative earthenware and eccentric clay figurines. But this culture had been forgotten for a long time and it was thought the Yayoi culture, succeeded Jomon, known for its simple aesthetic, become central to Japanese art, like wabi-sabi and tea ceremony. In the 1950's, one artist rebelled against this norm and declared the vibrant Jomon style as the true essence of Japanese art. The artist, Taro Okamoto, urged modern Japan to revive that energy.