Theme 2: The Culture and Recent History of the Ainu

• Prologue

  Meeting of
  the North
  and South

• Theme 1

  Hokkaido's
  Tale of 1.2
  Million Years

• Theme 2

  The Culture
  and Recent
  History of
  the Ainu

• Theme 3

  The Secret of
  Hokkaido's
  Unique
  Identity

• Theme 4

  Towards
  Our Time

• Theme 5

  The
  Ecosystems
  of Hokkaido

The Ainu are an indigenous people of Japan. “Ainu” means “human being” in the Ainu language. The Ainu have lived not only here in Hokkaido, but also in regions such as Sakhalin (Karafuto) and the Kuril Islands, developing a variety of cultures. When the Meiji government brought Hokkaido into Japan’s domain, settlement and development had a drastic impact upon the Ainu ways of life and culture. Facing these challenges, the Ainu have persevered, carrying on their cultural heritage to this day.

2-1: The Ainu in Contemporary Society

Explanation boards (PDF)

2-2: The Traditional Culture and Ways of Life of the Ainu

Explanation boards (PDF)

2-3: Ainu Oral Tradition

Explanation boards (PDF)

2-4: Recent History of the Ainu

Explanation boards (PDF)