Who are the Ainu?
The Ainu are an indigenous people native to Japan, with origins which date back at least as far as the Jomon period, a crucial time in Japanese prehistory in which a number of cultural advances were made. Today, the Ainu are found primarily in the Northern regions of Japan, and the exact population currently living in Japan is not fully known, due to the fact that some of them conceal their heritage due to racial discrimination. It is estimated that around 50,000 Ainu are alive today. These native Japanese have a rich culture, language, and set of traditions which are entirely distinct from those of the Japanese people. They are also physically quite different, with physical traits which link them closely with native Tibetans, including a tendency to grow much more body hair than many other native Asian peoples. In addition to being found in Japan, the Ainu can also be found in parts of Russia. When settlers first arrived in Japan, they began pushing the Ainu out of their native lands,
— Land of extremes — Hokkaido landscape — Nature’s bounty — Wild Hokkaido — First Ainu — Fighting for survival — Further struggles — Keeping the culture alive — Traditional economy — Changing economy — Traditional homes — Modern homes — Village life — Bear hunters — Clothing for all seasons — Art of the Ainu — Ancient language of the Ainu — World of spirits — Ainu festivals — Song and dance.
