help save Japan’s visual heritage of daily life
support
61228-0004 - Ainu Chief, 1920s

1920s
Ainu Chief

Artist Unknown
Publisher Ehagaki Kurabu
Medium Postcard
Period Showa
Location Outside
Image No. 61228-0004
Purchase Digital File
Author

Ainu chiefs played an important role in their society. Each Ainu village was administered by three hereditary chiefs.

Interestingly, they were not allowed to judge criminals. This function was performed by other members of the community.

The Ainu are a distinctive ethnic group which used to have a culture completely different from that of the Japanese. This culture was virtually destroyed during the Meiji Period when policies aimed at assimilating the Ainu into Japanese culture outlawed their language and restricted their activities.

The word Ainu is derived from the word Aynu, which means human. These days some Ainu prefer the term Utari. During the Edo Period they were often referred to as Ezo, Yezo or Emishi.

Although the Ainu probably inhabited large areas of Japan, they are now mainly found in Hokkaido.

During the 20th century, heated debate raged over the origins of the Ainu. This was finally settled by the mid 1990’s when genetic studies showed that they are “the descendants of Japan’s ancient Jomon inhabitants, mixed with Korean genes of Yayoi colonists and of the modern Japanese.1

Notes

1 Diamond, Jared (June, 1998). Japanese Roots. Discover Magazine Vol. 19: 86-94.

Published
Updated

Leave a Comment

Reader Supported

Old Photos of Japan aims to be your personal museum for Japan's visual heritage and to bring the experiences of everyday life in old Japan to you.

To enhance our understanding of Japanese culture and society I track down, acquire, archive, and research images of everyday life, and give them context.

I share what I have found for free on this site, without ads or selling your data.

Your support helps me to continue doing so, and ensures that this exceptional visual heritage will not be lost and forgotten.

Thank you,
Kjeld Duits

support

Reference for Citations

Duits, Kjeld (). 1920s: Ainu Chief, OLD PHOTOS of JAPAN. Retrieved on February 10, 2025 (GMT) from https://www.oldphotosjapan.com/photos/144/ainu

Explore More

…

1912
Baby Girl in Kimono

Photo of a 1 year old baby girl in ceremonial kimono. During the early 20th century it was a very popular custom in Japan to take photographs of babies around their first birthday.

…

1920s
Having Tea

Two women and a man in traditional clothing are sitting on zabuton cushions on tatami mats in a large room divided by fusuma sliding doors at what appears to be an inn.

…

1880s
Woman in Kimono

A beautiful portrait of a woman in kimono. This photograph was extremely popular during the late 1800s and has been attributed to just about every major photographer who was active during that time.

Add Comment

There are currently no comments on this article.