Yayoi

American

[yah-yoi] / yɑˈyɔɪ /

adjective

of or relating to a cultural period in Japan, c300 b.c.–a.d. c300, characterized by unglazed reddish clay pottery Yayoi ware made on a wheel and noted for its restrained, undecorated style, haniwa figures, raised-floor dwellings, wet-rice agriculture, and the first use of bronze and iron.

Etymology

Origin of Yayoi

From the Japanese word Yayoi site of a tumulus where the pottery was discovered in 1884

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Other Paul prompts included: “This couch eats people,” “A world without pants,” and “Santa Claus in the style of Yayoi Kusama.”

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2025

I’m guessing it’s not a $3.5 million Yayoi Kusama painting or a $4.75 million David Hammons piece.

From Salon • Dec. 19, 2024

The room, which has a dizzying effect, is reminiscent of Yayoi Kusama’s “Infinity Mirror Rooms” at the Broad but looks more like something out of Ant-Man’s quantum universe.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 4, 2024

Many other artists have since been enlisted by Louis Vuitton as designers for hire, including Richard Prince, Jeff Koons, and Yayoi Kusama.

From New York Times • May 2, 2024

Japan’s population increased by the astonishing factor of 70 during Yayoi times: what caused that change?

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023