Ainu Dance: Diverse People Become Swifts, Stepping Together

A workshop by the Biratori Ainu Culture Preservation Society at Japan House London

Londoners joined Ainu people to learn their traditional dance (photo by author)

There are three main ethnic groups in Japan. Firstly, the Ryukyuan people are based around Okinawa. Secondly, the Ainu people live mainly in Hokkaido. Lastly, the Yamato people live in Honshu and other parts of Japan.

The Yamato people are the largest in number, so when people refer to ‘Japanese culture’, it often means Yamato culture, whose example is the type of kimono I wear. However, the Ryukyuan and Ainu cultures are rich and exciting, and their lifestyle, music, dance, costumes and food culture all have an enchanting appeal.

I am a Yamato but passionately love Ainu culture (Ryukuan culture as well, but I will write about it in another article). I have written many articles on Ainu culture for Japanese media. For my personal interest, I have also experienced Ainu culture in various ways, such as dancing, embroidery and playing the Mukkuri or the Ainu plucked idiophone.

In 2023, Japan House London held an Ainu exhibition with various workshops and lectures. Of course I was thrilled to attend those events.

My first encounter with the Ainu people was not easy

Ainu wood carvings are popular souvenirs for tourists (photo by author)

When I was just starting out as a freelance writer, I went to Hokkaido to write a Japanese guidebook. That was when I first visited the Ainu Kotan (settlement) on Lake Akan and came into contact with the authentic Ainu culture. I had a variety of fascinating experiences, such as watching Ainu dance and eating Ainu food to include for the guidebook.

However, never have I felt such a chilling barrier.