Honorable Mention TIFA 2021 People / Culture

Ainu Teachings

  • Photographer
    Pokiru Sawamaru
  • Technical Info
    F8,1/160,iso160
  • Photo Date
    2020

Countless tattoos engraved on the body, hoping for the blessing of Kamuy(gods). The gods for the Ainu are all things in nature. There are countless gods everywhere, in the forest, in the sea. This is mutualism. This idea also applies to their relationships. The Ainu don’t have a written language, and when trouble occurs they hold discussions to solve the problem together. In this way, everyone is working to build a fair and peaceful society. The Ainu way of life offers a great hint to those of us who are worried about slander on SNS and other problems with relationships in our modern society.