Ainu people, they exist?

The world is full of diverse cultures and traditional groups. Everyone is known by the tribe to which they belong. It is the old custom of people. Like any other country, Japan is an ocean full of diversity and home to many minority groups. Though with time, the minority groups are vanishing, their remains are still in use to identify them. One of the minority groups of Japan consisting of Indigenous people is Ainu. Many of you might not have heard of this name, but history validates their existence. Being a linguist or a person interested in learning diverse cultures, you can determine the history, culture, and value of this unique and unusual group, i.e., Ainu.

If you don’t know much about this minority group, don’t worry. We’ll help and guide you along with this article. So, let’s start by studying the history and origin of the Ainu people.

History and Origin

The Ainu people faced quite a problematic history. Their origins were murky, but some scholars say they are the descendants of an indigenous population that once spread across Northern Asia. According to them, the Ainu people belong to Hokkaido (a Northern Japanese island), the Kuril island, and Sakhalin. Linguists still debate its origin, and many theories have been on this subject. They are curious to discover a new language from this group. Therefore, they are working hard to explore the ancient history of this minority group.

In 2008, the Japanese government officially recognized the existence of these indigenous people, i.e., Ainu. However, in the 20th century, their culture, dressing sense, language, and religious practices were distinct from the ordinary Japanese people of the current era. And their customs have survived for more than millennia. They also claim that their culture is similar to the prehistoric Jomon culture of East Asia. As Japan gradually introduced modernism in its culture, these people were pushed farther and farther north until they finally reached the land of Hokkaido. In 1899, Japan took inspiration from the treatment method of the Ainu people in the American West. Under the Meiji Restoration, these distinct people’s traditional lands, cultural practices, and language were banned. Surviving was difficult for them, and their story has been addressed recently.

Appearance of Ainu people

Since the culture of the Ainu people is significantly different from the ethnic Japanese, their appearance is also comparatively distinct. The inhabitants of the Northernmost Islands, like the Kuril Islands, were similar in appearance to the Ainu people. First, both men and women keep their hair to shoulder length. And they wear a traditional Ainu grab on their head. After a certain age, men never shave; therefore, the older men of this group usually have long beards. Moreover, the women undergo wrist and mouth tattooing to signify they’re coming to adulthood. Their tattoos were very distinct from the Asian population, and both genders wear big round earrings.

Living Standards and Occupation

People of Hokkaido are traditionally hunters and gatherers. Hokkaido people use standard hunting weapons, including spears, bows, and arrows with poison on them. Having such an occupation, Hokkaido people live off the land. They commonly eat deer, bear, rabbit, salmon, fox, and vegetables. Unlike the Asian population, they never eat their food raw. Salmon fishing is another occupation of these people. It has several methods like tesh fishing, uray fishing, and rawomap fishing.

Furthermore, Ainu women face more challenges in life than men. Kaori Tahara, an Ainu rights activist who teaches Ainu history at Tokyo University, said that ‘Ainu women face double discrimination not only by the Japanese people but also by the Ainu men. Though the recognition by Japan is our first victory, the struggles are not over yet. We still face discrimination and cannot speak about our culture, physical distinction, lingo or distinct identity.

Why the inhabitants of Hokkaido are less?

Japanese government imposed some limitations on the lifestyle of these indigenous people. Policies like family separation, forcible assimilation, oppression, and discrimination were set on the population of these indigenous people.

In the 19th century, the impact of smallpox became another problem, resulting in the Ainu population dropping significantly. Although there is no official census of Hokkaido figures Hokkaido government has done some surveys, and according to the latest survey, nearly 20,000 people belong to the land of Hokkaido. But if we take a global measure of the Hokkaido group, some sources suggest that there are 2 million people in this minority group. Because of the fewer inhabitants of the Hokkaido group, these people of Northern Island may vanish from history in the coming years. Therefore, they are also near extinction. Also, check out our latest content on the Abau language.

Conflict between Japanese and Hokkaido people

The unique status of the Hokkaido people in Asia has always irritated the Japanese government. The Ainu and Japanese people fought a whole series of wars between the 15th and 18th centuries, and by the 19th century, the Northern Island of Hokkaido came under Japanese control. Since then, the oppression and discrimination of the Ainu people began. In the 20th century, Japanese rule inhibited all the rights of Ainu in their traditional cultural practices. The inequality did not stop there; their right to speak their ancient language was also taken away. The government even took measures to hide the people from the world so that there could be no remains left of this unique group.

In the 20th century, professors of Hokkaido University and schools took a stand for their rights and equality. They demanded to live according to their customs, traditions, language, and lifestyle rather than the Japanese rule or Japanese language; after lengthy battles of Hokkaido nationally and internationally against the ruthless behavior of the Japanese government, a bill passed last April that indicates the recognition of Hokkaido people as the indigenous groups of Japan for the first time.

It was the first move by the activists to the professors of Hokkaido University to give them the right to speak and present their arguments. This effort was carried out to ensure that Ainu’s traditions, language, dance, land, and culture remain safe. The people of the southern part of Sakhalin Island (the land belonging to Russia) and Kuril Island speak the typical dialects of the Ainu people. The bill has changed the history of Ainu in Asia.

Similarity between Japanese and Hokkaido

The one way Japanese and Ainu people are similar is through religion. The Ainu, just like the Japanese and some people of East Asia, were animists. They believe that all things, including lakes, mountains, and animals, are under the arrogation of spirits, which they call kamuy. They believe in the existence of many gods; one of them has the name Kim-un-kamuy, or the gods of bear and the mountains. All the animals are called the manifestations of Gods on Earth in Ainu culture. However, the bear is thought to be the head of all Gods. Traditionally, they sacrifice the bears to release the kamuy within them to the spirit world.

Ainu people, they exist?

Though the Japanese government tried to hide the Ainu people, they have been recognized as the indigenous people with the help of professors and school students of Hokkaido. Even after the Japanese domination, it has been discovered by the bill that these people still exist. However, the number of Ainu people is less, and it is decreasing day by day, which means this group is near extinction. But in the current era, we can easily find remains of this indigenous group. The school students of Hokkaido are taught about the population history of Ainu to be aware of their distinct language.

Diversity Culture’s Role in Human Genetics

Native Americans have a rich history dating back to the 13th century, with diverse cultures flourishing until the 15th century. In the realm of understanding their heritage, translation agencies play a crucial role. Particularly, when exploring connections between Native American and Japanese populations, DNA analyses become essential.

Recent research, including studies on the Sakhalin Ainu, indicates shared genetic links between Native Americans and populations in Northeast Asia. The Hokkaido Museum, through collaborations and translations, contributes to unraveling the historical interactions of human populations in North America and Northeast Asia, shedding light on the intricate tapestry of cultural and genetic exchanges over the centuries.

The Journal of Human Genetics serves as a valuable platform for exploring the intricate relationships between different populations, shedding light on the diverse tapestry of human history. In Southeast Asia, where traditional cultures have thrived, the Ainu Association plays a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Ainu heritage. This includes the Edo Ainu and Kuril Ainu, contributing to a broader understanding of cultural nuances.

The establishment of the National Ainu Museum further enriches the discourse, bridging connections between North Asia, Central Asia, and the broader global human community. Through publications and collaborative efforts, the Journal of Human Genetics continues to unravel the complexities of human migration, cultural evolution, and genetic diversity across regions.

The exploration of culture and its impact on people is a dynamic field, and the American Journal of Human Genetics serves as a valuable resource in this endeavor. Particularly in South America, where diverse cultures thrive, the journal contributes to understanding regional differences and the genetic underpinnings of human populations.

Scholars like John Batchelor play a significant role in unraveling the complexities of cultural influences on genetics, fostering a deeper comprehension of how historical and regional factors shape the human genome. Through the lens of the American Journal of Human Genetics, the intricate relationship between culture and people continues to be a subject of insightful exploration and scholarly discourse.

Siberian Roots of East Asia

The genetic history and structure of East Asian populations, including the Hokkaido Ainu, exhibit unique genetic features that distinguish them not only within the region but also in comparison to worldwide populations. Studies have shown that these populations share certain genetic markers, which can be traced back to ancient Siberian populations, indicating a complex pattern of migration and settlement over thousands of years.

The Hokkaido Ainu, in particular, possess distinct genetic characteristics that highlight their unique position within the broader East Asian genetic landscape. Their genetic makeup provides valuable insights into the migration events that shaped the genetic diversity of East Asian populations and their relationship to other groups globally.

Understanding these genetic connections allows researchers to reconstruct the population structure and genetic history of the region, shedding light on human evolution and migration patterns across Asia and beyond.

DNA Links Across Asia

The cultural identities and heritage of the peoples of Northeast Siberia, the Kamikawa Ainu of Hokkaido, and other Ainu communities in Japan are deeply intertwined with the broader cultural tapestry of Southeast Asia through complex historical connections and migration patterns. DNA analyses have played a pivotal role in uncovering these intricate relationships, revealing genetic links that not only highlight the shared ancestry among these groups but also their distinct cultural evolutions over time.

The Ainu people, including the Hokkaido Ainu and the lesser-known Kamikawa Ainu, are emblematic of the rich cultural diversity and resilience found within this vast region. Their unique traditions, languages, and ways of life offer invaluable insights into the human story, illustrating how diverse cultural practices can emerge from shared genetic foundations.

Through the lens of DNA analyses, researchers are able to trace the movement of peoples across continents, shedding light on how cultural identities are formed and transformed in the face of migration and interaction with other communities.

Global Trade and Genetics

The population structure and genetic history of Siberian populations have been extensively studied to understand human migration patterns and the development of diverse ethnic groups. A critical piece of this puzzle has been provided by genome-wide SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) data, which offers detailed insights into the genetic makeup of these communities. In a groundbreaking study by Jinam et al., the use of such data has illuminated the complex genetic landscape of the Ainu people, a group indigenous to Japan, with historical ties to Siberian populations.

This research, highlighted in exhibitions at the National Ainu Museum, showcases the rich genetic heritage of the Ainu, revealing their connections to other Siberian groups and contributing to a broader understanding of human genetic diversity. By analyzing SNP data, Jinam et al. have helped trace the migration routes and historical interactions that shaped the genetic structure of populations across Eurasia, emphasizing the intricate web of human ancestry and movement that connects disparate groups across continents.

The intricate trade routes established between Southeast Asia and North America highlight the global interconnectedness and cultural exchange that have shaped the modern world.

Translating Northeast Asia’s Cultural Heritage

Universal Translation Services, a leader in the translation industry, specializes in providing accurate translations that resonate with native language speakers, particularly in regions like Northeast Asia. As a professional translation service, they have developed a deep understanding of local dialects and cultural nuances, which is critical when targeting Japanese populations.

Their expertise is essential not only for businesses aiming to communicate effectively but also for cultural institutions such as the Hokkaido Museum. Here, the accuracy of translations helps ensure that the actual population and visitors gain a complete understanding of exhibits, promoting cultural appreciation and education across language barriers.

The tapestry of Japanese history is rich with the diverse cultures of its indigenous populations, such as the Ainu. The Ainu people, traditionally residing in regions including Hokkaido, and extending to areas such as Khabarovsk Krai, Kamchatka Krai, and the Kuril Islands, have a profound historical significance. The North Kuril Ainu and Southern Kuril Ainu, each with distinct customs and traditions, represent the intricate cultural weave of the region.

In Okinawa Prefecture, distinct from the Ainu but equally rich in heritage, local history adds layers to the overall understanding of Japan’s past. Museums and academic works, especially those incorporating Ainu Komonjo — ancient documents of Ainu culture — play a crucial role in preserving these narratives. They help in educating about the past, including the handling and study of human remains with respect that elucidates the lives of these indigenous groups while honoring their contributions to the cultural mosaic of Japan.

Ainu Studies at Hokkaido University

The Hokkaido University Center for Ainu and Indigenous Studies, as detailed in an archived September issue of The Christian Science Monitor, plays a pivotal role in shedding light on the often overlooked narratives of indigenous populations. This institution rigorously examines 19th century records, among other sources, to piece together the lives of rural populations across regions historically influenced by the Ainu, such as Nikolaevski Okrug.

The Christian Science Monitor highlights the center’s efforts in advocating for the rights of these communities, reflecting a broader dialogue on indigenous issues covered by regional news outlets like the Okinawa Times. Additionally, the focus on ceremonial purposes within these cultures, as discussed by scholars like Suyama Nisaku and Tanaka Kinu, aligns with findings from the Russian Census, further illustrating the depth of cultural practices that have survived despite modern pressures.

This holistic approach provides a richer understanding of the historical and contemporary significance of indigenous groups in this part of the world. The Hokkaido Utari Kyokai has partnered with the Smithsonian Institution to showcase the culture people of the Ainu people to a broader international audience.

Frequently Asked Questions