The Ainu of Japan

The Ainu are Japan’s native people. They were the first people to live in Japan, but they have shared their homeland with other Japanese people for centuries. The original Ainu people hunted, fished, and gathered wild plants for food. They made everything they needed, using the natural materials around them. They worshipped the spirits of animals and the natural world.
Originally, most Ainu people lived on Hokkaido, one of Japan’s four major islands. Eventually, other Japanese people moved to Hokkaido, and they clashed with the Ainu. They took over Ainu hunting and fishing grounds, leaving the Ainu in poverty. But, after years of struggle, the Ainu have revived their ancient culture. The Ainu of Japan describe ancient Ainu traditions and tells readers how the modern-day Ainu are teaching the rest of the world about their special way of life.