In northern Japan, on the main island of Honshu, and the northern-most island of Hokkaido are where the Ainu, Japan's little-known indigenous people, live.
They've lived here for tens of thousands of years.
Where The Ainu Settled
The second time I went to Japan (in 2001) was when I first I went to Hokkaido. I loved it.
Hokkaido is Japan's northern-most island, not far from Siberia in Russia.
Before recorded history, Hokkaido was settled by the Ainu - Japan's forgotten indigenous people.
Long Suffering Discrimination
But like the native people of America, Australia and other countries, the Ainu have long suffered discrimination.
They are physically and culturally very different from the Japanese.
Know for having a lot of body hair, the men have beards which they leave unshaven. While women’s mouths are tattooed.
Arctolatry - The Worship of Bears
These people are traditionally hunter-gatherers. They have their own language, but fewer than 100 people still speak it, and it is classified as endangered.
They practice arctolatry - the worship of bears. They hunted them for food but also kept them as pets.
Meeting Ainu at the Marimo Festival
Every autumn, on the shores of Lake Akan in Hokkaido, the marimo festival takes place, and the Ainu people play a key part in the celebrations.
The festival began in 1950 as a means to save the endangered marimo algae found in Lake Akan. Marimo are giant green balls of algae (growing up to 30cm in diameter).
The highlight of the three-day festival is a 1,000 torch parade. It's a rare opportunity to see, firsthand, the customs of the Ainu, their traditional dance, and to hear their folk songs.
Official Recognition by the Japanese Government
Today, only a few thousand Ainu remain.
After many decades of discrimination, in 2008 that the Japanese government officialy recognised the Ainu as indigenous people, with their own language and culture.
Perhaps they will no longer be Japan's 'forgotten people'...
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Related: Meeting An Itako - Spiritual Medium
Related: Onsen Tips For Those With Tattoos
VIDEO: The Ainu – Japan’s Forgotten People
Did you know about the Ainu? What do you think about them and their history? And what do you think the future holds for them?
Please let me know by leaving a comment below...
Location Map
And One More Thing…
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TRJ Resources
Ainu Culture Experiences in Hokkaido
Lost Kamuy - The Tale of an Ancient Ainu God Show
Kamuy Lumina - Enchanting Night Walk in the Woods
Visit the most scenic photo spots of Akan National Park (including the open-air Ainu Museum)
Places to Experience Ainu Culture
Sapporo Pirka Kotan Ainu Cultural Center
Institute for the Study of Languages and Cultures of Ainu
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I do know about the Ainu, but I didn’t know about women tattooing their mouth. I would like to go to Hokkaido some day and learn more.
Thanks for the comment Jennifer.
Apparently, the women get their mouths tattooed from their early teens. As they get older the more they get added to their tattoos until they are considered a woman. Fascinating culture.
Hokkaido is a beautiful island and still untamed and wild in many parts. Well worth a visit if ever you get the opportunity.