Visitors watch a dance performance in the park of the National Ainu Museum which opened in the Hokkaido town of Shiraoi on Sunday. Photo: KYODO
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National Ainu museum opens in Hokkaido after COVID-19 delay

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zichiJuly 12  07:26 pm JST

The Ainu culture was almost wiped out.

A "culture" based entirely on subsistence gathering, living entirely off the land is incongruous with modern civilization and development. Another major factor is that aboriginal peoples often do not have a written language, which would serve to preseve the culture.

The same can be said for every indigenous aboriginal people, be it the United States, Canada, Brazil and basically all of South and Central America, Australia, New Zealand, etc etc.

If one wants to argue that the Ainu culture was almost wiped out, they should look further back to to the expansion of the Yamato people northward, the conquest, subjugation and absoroption of the Emishi on Honshu which took place for centuries before Hokkaido became part of Japan.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Long overdue but good stuff.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

As a history of dispossession and not slavery, perhaps more similar to the fate of the native American tribes. Good to see the Ainu get a little more recognition for their distinct culture, even if it is way too late.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Great news. Hopefully things like this will allow the Ainu to have a bit of a renaissance. I just hope that these types of places are treated with respect and not as curiosities by other Japanese.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Just a taste......

Ainu Song and Dance, Shiraoi, Hokkaido.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuVSbEItqHQ

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Must feel culturally strange, after all, these are strange times, however necessary under the circumstances.

The traditional Ainu dance and musical performances are a must see.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

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