The Heritage of Dugout Canoes
Ainu Cultural Revitalization
Information
The Ainu. The indigenous people of northern Japan, including Hokkaido and its surrounding areas. They have their own unique language and culture, with prayers, dances, and the belief that spirits reside in all things.
Upopoy, the National Ainu Museum and Park, located in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, employs many Ainu descendants working to preserve their heritage.
Every year, Upopoy produces dugout canoes, essential tools for transportation and hunting in Ainu culture. A dugout canoe is carved from a single large tree and take over half a year to craft.
Leading canoe production at Upopoy’s workshop is Yamamichi Yomaru, who will guide us to see an ancient dugout canoe in the museum, a testament to the advanced skills of past generations and their historic value.
Elders in Yakumo Town, known for its woodcarving culture, teach us how dugout canoes were made in ancient times, as well as how people are working to pass on such Ainu cultural practices to the present and future.
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