Ainu
Northern Japan's natives
Ainu refers to an indigenous people of northern Japan, particularly Hokkaido, as well as parts of Russia's Sakhalin and Kuril Islands.
The term also designates their language, which is unrelated to Japanese and has few remaining native speakers.
As an adjective, Ainu describes their distinctive culture, art, and traditions: Ainu textiles feature geometric patterns.
The Ainu faced centuries of discrimination and forced assimilation under Japanese rule.
Large furry omnivore
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- salmonPink-fleshed migratory fish
- huntingPursuing wild game
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
tattoo · embroidery · robes · animism · prayer · hearth · ancestor · storytelling
Originating in a region
- HokkaidoJapan's northernmost main island
- SakhalinRussian Pacific island
- YamatoHistoric Japanese cultural core
- minoritySmaller part of whole
recognition · discrimination · assimilation · ancestry · bloodline · heritage · identity · mixed-race
At risk of extinction
- isolateSeparate from others
- oralOf the mouth
- revitalizationRestoring vigor or vitality
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
speakers · dialects · dictionary · transcription · recording · fluency · immersion · lessons
Justified claims to freedoms
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
- landEarth's solid surface
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- lawsuitCivil court proceeding
parliament · declaration · reparations · apology · legislation · advocacy · self-determination · repatriation
bear
Large furry omnivore
gathering · tattoo · embroidery · robes · animism · prayer · hearth · ancestor · storytelling · carving
indigenous
Originating in a region
- HokkaidoJapan's northernmost main island
- SakhalinRussian Pacific island
- YamatoHistoric Japanese cultural core
minority · recognition · discrimination · assimilation · ancestry · bloodline · heritage · identity · mixed-race
endangered
At risk of extinction
- isolateSeparate from others
- oralOf the mouth
- revitalizationRestoring vigor or vitality
documentation · speakers · dialects · dictionary · transcription · recording · fluency · immersion · lessons
rights
Justified claims to freedoms
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
- landEarth's solid surface
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
lawsuit · parliament · declaration · reparations · apology · legislation · advocacy · self-determination · repatriation · remains