Learn about the Sekine family’s efforts to maintain and foster Ainu culture and language for future generations by joining a themed guided tour of Japan House London’s exhibition Ainu Stories: Contemporary Lives by the Saru River.
During this special tour, Japan House London Programming Director Simon Wright is joined by guest speakers Sekine Maya and her father, Sekine Kenji. Born in the Nibutani area of Biratori, Maya has been working to convey the importance of preserving Ainu culture and language through various media since her university days. She started her own YouTube channel to promote Ainu language and culture in 2019 and is the voice of the Ainu language announcements for Hokkaido Dōnan Bus. Kenji’s expertise focusses on the Ainu language: he leads the children’s language classes in Biratori and travels around Hokkaido teaching Ainu at schools and other institutions.
The tour lasts 30 minutes and begins in front of the Gallery on Japan House London’s Lower Ground Floor promptly at the start time.
The exhibition Ainu Stories: Contemporary Lives by the Saru River is on display in the Gallery at Japan House London from 16 November 2023 until 21 April 2024.
Please note that filming and / or photography may take place at this event. Photographs and footage of the event may then be used to promote Japan House London, helping more people to discover what we offer. If you have any concerns, please email [email protected] or contact a member of the team on site.
About the Speakers
Sekine Maya
Born in Nibutani in 1999, Maya grew up surrounded by Ainu culture. In April 2018, she was selected as a presenter for the Ainu language radio course on STV Radio. That same year, she became the voice of the Ainu language announcements for Hokkaido Dōnan Bus. She is a graduate of Keio University and in 2019 started her own YouTube channel ‘Sito Channel’ to promote Ainu language and culture. Currently, she runs Upopoi Radio and as the representative of katak LLC, she spreads knowledge about Ainu culture and language in a wide range of fields.
Sekine Kenji
Born in Hyogo Prefecture, Sekine has lived in the Nibutani neighbourhood of Biratori since 1998. After joining a local Ainu language class with his daughter around 2005, Sekine continued his studies in earnest, learning from researchers and elderly town residents. Today, Sekine leads the children’s Ainu language classes offered by Biratori, and also travels around Hokkaido teaching Ainu at schools and other institutions. He has held Ainu language study camps in Nibutani to revitalize the Ainu language. His services as an expert in the Ainu language are in demand for translation and consultation for the film, TV, manga, and publishing industries. He hosted an Ainu language class on STV radio with his daughter, Maya between April 2018 and March 2019.
Supported by 1 supporter.
