Experience Ainu culture as it exists today in this exploration of the contemporary lives of this indigenous people of northern Japan.
Exploring the virtual exhibition
- Starting just inside the Gallery, you can move around by using the circular portals on the floor.
- The camera icons show you the artworks up close, while the information icons tell you more about them.
- To immerse yourself in this exhibition, click on the full-screen icon in the top right-hand corner of the tour.
- When you’re finished inside the Gallery, continue the virtual exhibition upstairs on the Ground Floor and first floor.
The creation of this virtual exhibition is supported by JTI UK.
A gallery of 1 item.
About Ainu Stories
Ainu Stories: Contemporary Lives by the Saru River is on display at Japan House London from 16 November 2023 to 21 April 2024.
Historically, members of the Ainu community were not able to fully express their distinct culture, however a movement to celebrate and sustain the Ainu language, textiles, crafts and traditions continues to gather pace, in particular among younger members of the Ainu community.
Ainu Stories is a collaboration with the people of Biratori, an area located in the Saru River basin in southern Hokkaido. Through intimate video interviews and displays of contemporary Ainu works, the exhibition explores four central themes of contemporary Ainu culture: the critically endangered language; society and the preservation of the environment; Ainu textiles, song and dance; and woodcarving and tourism.
The exhibition also reveals surprising historical links between the UK and Biratori, telling the stories of British travellers who forged lasting relationships with the Ainu.