Artisans Preserve the Ainu Culture in Japan Through Traditional Crafts

At the edge of Akan-Mashu National Park in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, a small village stands as a living testament to Ainu heritage. This Indigenous community has long preserved its unique traditions, language, and craftsmanship despite modernization and social challenges.

Among the people keeping these traditions alive are artisans who create intricate embroidery, silver jewelry, and woven accessories, each infused with cultural significance.

The Legacy of the Ainu People

The Ainu are believed to have lived in Japan for over 30,000 years. Their culture is deeply connected to nature, with spiritual beliefs that attribute souls to animals, plants, and natural elements. In Ainu tradition, these spirits—called kamuy—offer resources like food, fur, and materials for crafts, all of which are treated with gratitude and respect.

Instagram | anaoha | Ainu Kotan, a 1950s village of 120 residents, serves as a hub for Ainu arts and crafts.

Despite centuries of assimilation policies, the Ainu have preserved their identity. Today, there are no official records of how many Ainu live in Japan, as ethnicity is self-reported. However, a recent survey in Hokkaido revealed that nearly 30% of Ainu respondents had experienced discrimination. Even so, their culture remains resilient, reflected in their art, music, and daily life.

One of the most prominent Ainu settlements is Ainu Kotan, a small village built in the 1950s. It is home to approximately 120 residents and has become a center for Ainu arts and crafts. Though never intended as a tourist attraction, its wooden buildings house an art gallery, a theater, and shops selling traditional crafts. Here, artisans continue to honor their heritage through their work.

Embroidery and Symbolism in Ainu Textiles

One of the artisans preserving Ainu craftsmanship is Erika Katsuya, a skilled embroiderer and traditional dancer. Her shop, Hapo’s Store, showcases handmade cotton garments, woven bags, and bamboo mouth harps known as mukkuri.

“My mother and grandmother taught me embroidery when I was a teenager,” she shared, recalling her deep-rooted connection to Ainu artistry. She specializes in chinjiri, an embroidery technique that involves stitching intricate patterns onto dyed hemp fabric. These designs are more than decoration—they carry cultural meanings passed down through generations.

Ms. Katsuya also crafts jewelry, including necklaces made from ikema, a vine believed to bring protection. The vines are gathered from the mountains, cleaned, dried, and shaped into charms. “My grandmother always wore an ikema necklace,” she reminisced, holding up a small piece adorned with wooden and glass beads.

Silver Jewelry Inspired by Ainu Patterns

Unlike many of his fellow artisans, Hiroyuki Shimokura does not have Ainu ancestry, but his deep respect for the culture led him to become a silversmith in Ainu Kotan. His journey began in 1999 when he visited the village after crafting a ring shaped like a bear’s paw. The experience left a lasting impression, and he dedicated himself to studying Ainu craftsmanship.

Mr. Shimokura now creates silver jewelry featuring traditional moreu (spiral) motifs and geometric patterns. His designs range from crescent-shaped pendants to bold, embossed cuffs. One of his signature pieces, the Kimun Kamuy ring, is shaped like a bear claw, with each strand of fur meticulously carved.

“To darken the fur, I dip the silver into gold chloride acid,” he explained, demonstrating how the chemical reaction creates contrast in the design. His craftsmanship has gained recognition, with pieces exhibited in museums and sold through retail collaborations.

Accessories Rooted in Nature

akanainu-next.jp | Fukiko Goukon preserves Ainu heritage at Poronno through traditional cuisine and cultural artistry.

Artisan and singer Fukiko Goukon continues her family’s legacy at Poronno, a restaurant at the entrance of Ainu Kotan. Serving traditional Ainu dishes like venison sashimi and deer curry, the restaurant is also a hub for culture and craftsmanship.

Ms. Goukon creates woven bracelets and chokers inspired by emush-at, an Ainu sword belt once worn by men. She learned the technique from her grandmother and aunt, later adapting it into her own unique style.

Her materials are sourced directly from nature. She uses fibers from the Nikko elm, a tree native to Japan. The process involves stripping the bark, soaking it in hot springs or wood ash, drying the fibers, and dyeing them before weaving them into accessories. Some of her bracelets also incorporate Yezo deer skin, antler buttons, and Achilles’ tendon fasteners.

“The spiritual culture of the Ainu is reflected in how we gather materials,” she said. “We take only what we need, ensuring that nothing is wasted.”

Keeping Ainu Culture Alive

The artisans of Ainu Kotan are more than craftsmen—they are cultural storytellers. Every embroidered pattern, carved silver ring, and woven bracelet carries the weight of history, preserving a way of life that has endured for thousands of years.

While modern Japan continues to evolve, these artisans remain steadfast in their commitment to tradition. Their work not only sustains Ainu heritage but also introduces a wider audience to its beauty and significance. Through their hands, the past lives on, ensuring that the spirit of the Ainu continues to thrive.