The Ainu People
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“Ainu” means “human.” We consider things useful to us or beyond our control as “kamuy”(gods). In daily life, we prayed to and performed ceremonies for the gods. These gods include: “nature” gods, such as of fire, water, wind and thunder. The word “Ainu” refers to the opposite of these gods.
About 300 B.C., Honshu (Japans mainland) experienced the Yayoi Period. Between the Yayoi and Muromachi Periods, Hokkaido experienced periods of earthenware cultures, such as the Zoku-Jomon Period, the Satsumon Period, and the Okhotsk Culture.
The “Ainu Culture” extended from about 1400 to the early 1700 s. According to one theory, the Satsumon Culture developed into the Ainu Culture through the influence of the Okhotsk Culture.
However, this theory is not a proven one. In the mid-1400 s, the Japanese extended their influence over southern Hokkaido, primarily Esashi and Matsumae. Later, they came to oppress the Ainu. The Ainu lost each time. After losing the Battle of Kunasiri-Menasi in particular, the Ainu fell completely under the control of the Japanese.
They were harassed and taken advantage, until the meiji era. In the meiji era , the ainu werent allowed to follow their daily customs because they were forced to be like the Japanese . In 1899, the Hokkadido aborigine protection act was passed primarily to aim for aid of the ainu. However ,the act designated the ainu as Ð former aborigines Ð and clarified the distinction between the two.