In advance of the exhibition Ainu Stories opening this November, Japan House London invites the singing duo Ankes.
Music has always been important to the Ainu, an indigenous people of northern Japan. It accompanies the performing of certain ceremonies and other social activities.
To celebrate this aspect of contemporary Ainu culture, Japan House London is delighted to welcome the singing duo Ankes for a special of song sung in the Ainu language.
Ankes (meaning ‘twilight’ in Ainu) was formed by Harada Rino and Shinmachi Seiya in Nibutani, a district in the town of Biratori, Hokkaidō, in northern Japan. In this a cappella performance, in which the singers’ voices overlap to create musical harmony, guests can enjoy a variety of Ainu musical traditions from Nibutani, including epics from Ainu oral literature and celebratory upopo group songs.
This event anticipates the opening in November of Ainu Stories: Contemporary Lives by the Saru River, a UK-first exhibition exploring the contemporary culture of the Ainu people living in the Saru River basin.