The Japanese didn't have one big village but they lived in many small villages called clans. There is one head of the clan, or chief, that had religious and political power over the whole village. The chiefs believed they gained their "power" or social status through Kami. Kami are nature spirits. This brought about the interesting religion they had, called Shinto. Shinto is the belief that everything in natures has Kami. The main ritual of Shinto is that the village would build a shrine to ask the spirits for a blessing. Also some clans even became more powerful than other clans such as the Yamato clan. They claimed to be the first "emperors" of Japan.
The Japanese during the Jomon era would often bury their deceased in pits. In these pits they placed anything from everyday items to things like jewelry. Often ceramics were placed next to the deceased as well and the children were buried in ceramic pots or jars.
The Japanese during the Jomon era would often bury their deceased in pits. In these pits they placed anything from everyday items to things like jewelry. Often ceramics were placed next to the deceased as well and the children were buried in ceramic pots or jars.